NIGERIA: Yero Sworn-In As Governor Of Kaduna State

Kaduna - Alhaji Mukhtar Yero was on Sunday sworn-in as the new Governor of Kaduna State by the state Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjo.

The ceremony conducted at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna was witnessed by members of the state Executive Council, government officials and traditional rulers.

Yero replaced Patrick Yakowa who died in a helicopter crash on Saturday in Bayelsa.

In his acceptance speech, the governor pledged to continue with the transformation agenda laid by his predecessor.

"I sincerely desire to build on the good foundation that my boss had laid,’’ he said, adding that he would ‘’secure, unite and develop the state’’.

He paid tribute to Yakowa for his outstanding contributions to the development of the state and humanity.

"He invested so much on this and had started reaping the fruits of his labour.

"His wish was to consolidate and advance on the achievements so far made and hence, tagged Kaduna State’s 2013 budget as Budget of Consolidation and Advancement.’’

The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased and people in the state over the loss of "a humble and dedicated person''.

"His humility, dedication to duty, fairness to all and a high sense of humour, endeared him to many, near and far, irrespective of religious, tribal or sectional inclinations, ‘’ he added.

Yero said the occasion called for sober reflection, adding that it was time to mourn "a good man'' and to adopt strategies to ensure continuation of his legacies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yero, 44, was born in May 1968 in Zaria.

He attended LEA Primary School Kaura-Zaria between 1974 and 1980, Government Secondary School, Ikara between 1980 and 1985 and Government Day Secondary School, Zaria from 1985 to 1986 for his West African School Certificate and GCE O' level. 

The governor was at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he obtained a Diploma in Banking in 1988, Bsc Accountancy in 1991 and Masters Degree in Business Administration in 2003. 

He was also at the College of Accountancy, Jos for Certificate in National Accountancy between 2003 and 2004. 

Yero did the mandatory national service under the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) at Ogun State Bulk Purchasing Corporation, Abeokuta between 1991 and 1992. 

The new governor began his public service career as a Higher Executive Officer at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1992 before joining the defunct Nigeria Universal Bank Limited in 1993. 

Yero also worked at NALADO Nigeria Limited, Kaduna as Chief Accountant between 2002 and 2007. 

In 2007 he was appointed Commissioner for Finance, Kaduna State and later in 2010 as the state Deputy Governor. 

A keen horse rider and polo enthusiast, Yero is married to Hajiya Fatima and has six children.

........NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA