Why we appointed Mrs. Jonathan as Permanent Secretary – Bayelsa State Government

The Bayelsa State Governor yesterday explained why the wife of Nigeria incumbent President, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan was appointed as permanent secretary in the state.

The first lady, who is an indigene of Okirika in River state, got her appointment letter signed by the Head of Civil Service of Bayelsa State, Mrs Gloria Izonfo.

A Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dickson on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Mackson Iworiso said the First Lady got the new promotion due to her long service transferred from the Rivers State Civil Service to the Bayelsa Civil Service.

Iworiso described the appointment as routine action in the Civil Service.

Also, according to a letter signed by the Head of Civil service said: “By the Constitutional power conferred on the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in section 203 sub section 2c, Dame Patience Jonathan and Seventeen others were elevated to the position of Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service”.

Dame Jonathan obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics/ Biology in 1989 from the Rivers State College of Education and a Bachelor of Education in Biology and Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

She worked in Teaching, Banking and as a Sports Administrator in the State Civil-Service. She was First Lady of Bayelsa State.

Mrs. Jonathan is now the first Nigerian first Lady to be appointed into a position reserved mainly for senior civil servants.

However, 17 other civil servants were also appointed by the State Governor.