Patience Jonathan Appointed Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State

Wife of Nigeria’s President, Dame Patience Jonathan, has recorded history as the First Lady of the country to be appointed Permanent Secretary in a state civil service.

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State approved her appointment and seventeen others into the state civil service on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the state capital.


Also prominent among those appointed is Linnet Tebepah, wife of the current Chairman of NDDC, Tarilah Tebepah.

Others include J.E. Oye, Samson Ayibeboa, Antonia Koroye, Ziwari Billie, Buruboyefa John, Dikuro Ayebameh, Serge Williams, Olu Kuruom, G.I.Izein, Philomena Alodie, Omietimi Kojo, Ese Izonebi, Ohougha Maythias, James Clinton, Moses Teibowei, A. Samanyi and Vivian Odiowei.

Patience’s appointment as Permanent Secretary is already generating public discussions in bars and government circles within Yenagoa even as some political appointees are claiming ignorance on the development.

Head of Service, Gloria Izonfuo who signed the announcement broadcast on the state radio station, 91.7 Glory FM, stated that by the constitutional power conferred on the governor in section 203 (2) (c) , Jonathan’s wife and seventeen others had been elevated to the position of Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, confirmed that the wife of the President was elevated to the position of a Permanent Secretary and that it was a routine action in the civil service.

Madam Umbrella... carry go jor!