Patience Jonathan appointed permanent secretary in Bayelsa State
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan made history yesterday by becoming the first wife of a serving president to be appointed permanent secretary of a state.
The government of Bayelsa State appointed her permanent secretary, a position, usually reserved mainly for senior civil servants. Government sources said her appointment was informed by her long service transferred from the Rivers State Civil Service to the Bayelsa Civil Service.
The government of Bayelsa State appointed her permanent secretary, a position, usually reserved mainly for senior civil servants. Government sources said her appointment was informed by her long service transferred from the Rivers State Civil Service to the Bayelsa Civil Service.
Dame Jonathan is not the only appointee of the Seriake Dickson administration, there are 17 others, according to a statement by Head of Civil Service Mrs Gloria Izonfo.
In the wake of this, there have been mixed reactions from several quarters:
Her appointment was described as “routine” by the senior special assistant to the governor on media and public affairs, Markson Iworiso. Also, the SSA Media to the Bayelsa governor insisted that the appointment was purely based on merit, as Mrs Jonathan has served in the civil service of the state where she rose to the position of director.
Asked whether someone who retired from service can be appointed a perm sec, Mr. Markson said: “in reality, Her Excellency is still in service, on a leave of absence. All those appointed with her were her subordinates. The First Lady should not be discriminated against simply because she is now the wife of the President. The pride of every civil servant is to attain the position of perm sec, which is the zenith of the profession.”
However, some prominent lawyers have reacted to the development saying it is was unbelievable that Patience Jonathan who left the service of Bayelsa State in 1999 could be elevated to a position of permanent secretary.
Mr. Bamidele Aturu said: “It is unbelievable. It must be a mistake. If it is true, then, only God can help Nigerians out of it. How can you unnecessarily privatise governance? I am short of words to state my mind. It is shocking because just for the reason that she is the wife of the president, so it is a license to just go and assume a position anywhere. Nigerians must begin to think of how to take their destiny in their own hands.”
Similarly, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) stated: “It is very good. I congratulate her on her new job. The whole place is in confusion. Let Nigerians talk about it and count me out of such nonsense. It is a vexation to an innocent spirit and can cause one to vomit. How can it happen?”
What do YOU say? What do you think about her appointment as permanent secretary?
UPDATE: This is what basket mouth had to say on twitter
In the wake of this, there have been mixed reactions from several quarters:
Her appointment was described as “routine” by the senior special assistant to the governor on media and public affairs, Markson Iworiso. Also, the SSA Media to the Bayelsa governor insisted that the appointment was purely based on merit, as Mrs Jonathan has served in the civil service of the state where she rose to the position of director.
Asked whether someone who retired from service can be appointed a perm sec, Mr. Markson said: “in reality, Her Excellency is still in service, on a leave of absence. All those appointed with her were her subordinates. The First Lady should not be discriminated against simply because she is now the wife of the President. The pride of every civil servant is to attain the position of perm sec, which is the zenith of the profession.”
However, some prominent lawyers have reacted to the development saying it is was unbelievable that Patience Jonathan who left the service of Bayelsa State in 1999 could be elevated to a position of permanent secretary.
Mr. Bamidele Aturu said: “It is unbelievable. It must be a mistake. If it is true, then, only God can help Nigerians out of it. How can you unnecessarily privatise governance? I am short of words to state my mind. It is shocking because just for the reason that she is the wife of the president, so it is a license to just go and assume a position anywhere. Nigerians must begin to think of how to take their destiny in their own hands.”
Similarly, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) stated: “It is very good. I congratulate her on her new job. The whole place is in confusion. Let Nigerians talk about it and count me out of such nonsense. It is a vexation to an innocent spirit and can cause one to vomit. How can it happen?”
What do YOU say? What do you think about her appointment as permanent secretary?
UPDATE: This is what basket mouth had to say on twitter
This is a different way of doing d sme disgusting thing that all the past administrations have been doing, n creating some money maker for d first lady. But this time they went n were stupid wit it. When I heard, I said Dame, girl. Lol getit? Wanzay.
ReplyDeleteshe was in church wen d pastor said "it shall be permanent in ur life".
ReplyDeleteShe said "chei! I just have a idea".
LMao!!!
Wanzay again.
Lol.. I think it's funny
ReplyDeleteLol.. I think it's funny
ReplyDelete