Criticism trails Jonathan's appointment as permanent secretary

The First Lady, Patience Jonathan has been appointed by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State as one of the seventeen new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.

A statement from the state's Office of the Head of Service, Gloria Izonfo, on Wednesday, confirmed the appointment.




"By the constitutional power conferred on the state governor, Seriake Dickson, in section 203 sub-section 2c, Dame Patience Jonathan and seventeen others have been elevated to the position of permanent secretary in the state civil service," stated Izonfo.

A deluge of criticism has trailed this historic development as respondents questioned the practicability of Jonathan combining her duties as first lady and that of the administrative leadership of a ministry.

Going by civil service requirements, the first lady, who served in the Rivers and Bayelsa states civil services before her husband’s election as deputy governor, is qualified to attain this highest rank in the service.

Jonathan has a National Certificate of Education in Mathematics/Biology, which she obtained in 1989 from the Rivers State College of Education. She also has a degree in Biology and Psychology (Education) from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Mackson Iworiso, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seriake on Media and Public Affairs, confirmed the appointment, adding that the development was a ‘routine action’ in the civil service.
Culled:dailytimesnigeria