Prince Umar Abubakar Maiha, the son of the late district head of Jalingo-Maiha – His Highness Abubakar Suleiman, the Ubandoma Mubi of blessed memory – is elevated to the rank of permanent secretary; the highest and last position in civil service.
Umar, a royalty holding the title of Sardaunan Maiha, is among the thirteen new permanent secretaries in Adamawa state sworn in today, Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Born on 13th March, 1971, Umar started his public service career as Executive Officer GL 07 on 1st January, 1995, with Maiha local government authority and rose through the ranks to Great Level (GL) 17 on 1st January, 2023.
Umar was a director of personnel management posted to serve in Maiha, Michika, Madagali, Hong, song, Lamurde, Jada and Demsa among other local governments from 2009 to 2019 before transferring his service from local government authority to the state civil service as deputy director with the office of the Head of Service (HoS).
Sardaunan Maiha was appointed by the State Governor as the Secretary to Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, on 6th February, 2019; a position held till his present elevation as Permanent Secretary.
Umar, Sardaunan Maiha holds a Masters in public administration with a PhD in view.
Jalingo-Maiha, the district where Umar not only hails from but belongs to the frontline aristocracy, also holding the title of Sardauna – could crudely be understood as referring to one serving as a shade, a shield, custodian, protector and defender of monarchical heritage – is yet to have the appointment of the district head approved by the state governor, as recommended by the Emirate Council over seven years ago; even after the High Court order over five years ago, which was reaffirmed by the Appeal Court over three years ago and the mandatory injunction issued by the Chief Judge, compelling the governor to honour the court orders for the approval of the appointment, about two years ago.
His Highness Abubakar Suleiman, the Ubandoma Mubi of blessed memory exited since 2013; Jalingo-Maiha district palace remains vacant even when the law; the courts that decide the Governor, directed that the palace should be occupied legitimately
The Periscope Global Publishers congratulates Sardaunan Maiha over elevation, commends the people of Jalingo-Maiha district for calmness, patience, perseverance and peaceful coexistence in the face of executive denial of appointment of their district head and calls on the state government to be fair and just in matters relating to the traditional institution.
Peace!