PATIENCE JONATHAN BECOMES FIRST NIGERIA FIRST LADY TO BECOME PERMANET SECRETARY

The first lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan yesterday made history with her appointment as a permanent secretary in the services of the Bayelsa State government.

PERMANENT SECRETARY IN ACTION

She is one of 17 other top senior civil servants appointed by the present governor of the state Mr. Seriake Dickson according to a statement released by the Head of Civil Services Mrs Gloria Izonfo stating that this was done in accordance with the constitutional power conferred on Governor Seriake Dickson in section 203 sub-Section 2C of the Nigeria Constitution.

The state government has said that her appointment into the office of permanent Secretary was due to long service in the Rivers State Civil Service which has been transferred to Bayelsa state.

It should however be noted that it is section  208 and not section 203 of the constitution that guides the appointment of Permanent Secretaries.

DAME PATIENCE IN CELEBRATION MOOD

208. (1) Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the Governor of the State.

(2) The offices to which this section applies are, namely -

(a) Secretary to the Government of the State;

(b) Head of the Civil Service of the State;

(c) Permanent Secretary or other chief executive in any Ministry or Department of the Government of the State howsoever designated; and

(d) Any office on the personal staff of the Governor.

IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY

It should  be however be noted that this appointment has been solely reserved for senior civil servants in active service who are believed to be in the best position to supervise and direct all day to day activities of the appropriate ministries.

GIVING OUT INSTRUCTION