Fact Check: Is FG Appointed Perm Sec, Dr Maryam Keshinro not an Indigene of Zamfara State?

Claim: following the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, the Zamfara State Government wrote to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Claiming that the nominee for the state, Dr Maryam Kashinro Ismaila is not an indigene and hence does not qualify to represent Zamfara people.

Full Text: On Friday, President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of eight new permanent secretaries to fill existing and impending vacancies in some states and geo-political zones in the top administrative cadre of the federal civil service.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints eight new permanent secretaries.’

“The new Federal Permanent Secretaries (were) appointed after a diligent selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,” said Ngelale.

They are Dr. Emanso Okop (Akwa-Ibom), Obi Vitalis (Anambra), Mahmood Tabi’a (Bauchi) and Danjuma Sanusi (Jigawa).

Others are Olusanya Olubunmi (Ondo), Dr. Maryam Keshinro Ismaila (Zamfara), Akujobi Ijeoma (South-East) and Isokpunwu Osaruwanmwen (South-South).

However, in a letter dated 24 May, 2024 with ref ZMS/OHOS/ADM/1/6/24 addressed to the Head of Service of the Federation and signed by the Zamfara State Head of Service Ahmed Aliyu Liman, it claimed that the nominee for its state did not meet the PSR eligibility criteria Rule 020811(e)(f) which linked the requirement to indigenship.

The letter sighted by PRNigeria which copied the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) categorically states, “for all purpose and intendment, the candidate is never an indigene of Zamfara State and would not legally claim or enjoy representation for the sake of good people of Zamfara State. Furthermore, no any purported documentation in that respect will legally qualify her to be bonafide indigene of Zamfara State.”

The Zamfara State Government’s position has been reported in many news platforms including Premium Times with the scathing headline, “Zamfara Govt Rejects Permanent Secretary Appointed by Tinubu.”

Verification: PRNigeria fact check googled her name, however apart from sparse news reports mentioning her, there is no extensive coverage of Dr Maryam online let alone tracing her activities to her base and origin.

The team then decided to contact credible sources in the state where it obtained the CV of Dr Maryam where the bio-data clearly states she was born on 15 April 1969 in Gunmi, Zamfara State but is an indigene of Tsafe in the same state.

Knowing it was not enough to establish the facts of her indigenship, PRNigeria dug further where it obtained a letter by the Tsafe Emirate Council, dated 24 March 2024 and addressed to “whom it may concern.” The letter reads in part, “this is to notify you that the bearer Dr (Mrs) Maryam Ismaila Kashinro is an indigene of Tsafe Local Government Council of Zamfara State.”

Other credible sources also established the facts of Maryam ‘s indigenship on their honor.

For instance, Dr Bature Mannir Tsafe, a Staff of the Federal Medical Center Gusau and National Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) debunked the Zamfara State Government’s claim.

He wrote, “Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro (Maryam Ibrahim Tsafe) the newly appointed Permanent Secretary is an indigene of Tsafe Local Government. She is a Medical Doctor by training. Her Junior sister Hajara Ibrahim Tsafe happens to be my primary school classmate. Her Brother Dr Isiyaku Ibrahim Tsafe also a Medical Doctor is a school mate and presently out of the country. She married a Yoruba man hence the name Keshinro.”

Similarly, Isaka Sabo Tsafe, a Member of the Tsafe Development Forum and the Sarkin Tsaftar Tsafe said that the fact that Dr Maryam is an indigene of the state is undisputable.

“Dr Maryam is from Tsafe she was born and raised in Tsafe town she was trained as medical doctor in university of sokoto and residency in Zaria before moving to state house as a pediatrician and later medical director and perm sect.(sic).”

Prof Sa’adatu Shinkafi, a lecturer at the Federal University Gusau also confirmed Maryam ‘s indigenship.

“The above named was my classmate at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, she is an indigene of Zamfara State from Tsafe local government. I know her by then as a very good girl. She relates very well to people,” she said.

On his part, Dr. Al’ameen Lawal Tsafe, another Lecturer, Federal University Gusau said, “Dr. Maryam Ismail Keshinro is a bonafide Indigene of Tsafe Local Government. Our families are neighbors. Growing up, her father, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu who was a community health extension worker, is the man most families in the area go to for treatment when they are sick. Her sister, Saratu Ibrahim is a staff of the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe.”

Conclusion: based on documentary backing from the Tsafe Emirate Council and other sources alongside attestations from undisputable sources from Tsafe including her neighbors while growing up, findings by PRNigeria reveals that Dr (Mrs) Maryam Kashinro Ismaila (nee Aliyu Ibrahim) is an indigene of Zamfara State.

PRNigeria therefore concludes that the claim by the Zamfara State Government that the newly appointed permanent secretary, Dr Maryam Kashinro Ismaila is not an indigene and not qualify to represent Zamfara people is False and Misleading.

(c) PRNigeria