Nigerias First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan Appointed Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State

Dame Patience Jonathan, Nigerias Fist Lady

In an announcement made yesterday evening Wednesday July 11th,  on the state broadcasting station, Radio Bayelsa, and signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Gloria Izonfor, stressing that the constitutional power conferred on Dickson, in section 203 sub section 2c, Nigerias First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and 17 others were elevated to the position of permanent secretary in the state civil service.

The senior special assistant to the governor on media affairs, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson gave reasons for the appointed stating that the First Lady was a teacher in the state’s civil service and has been on leave of absence since 1999 to join her husband in his political service; first as a deputy governor, governor, vice president, then president. If not for the leave of absence, according to him, Mrs Jonathan would have risen to the status of a permanent secretary by now.

 

By this appointment, her position in the Bayelsa civil service has been retained, the leave of absence not withstanding, although the appointment will remain nominal since she is on a leave of absence. It is important to note that at retirement, whether she returns to the service or not, she will be graded on the rank of permanent secretary in the Bayelsa civil service.