Press Release on the swearing-in of Permanent Secretaries

> 20/07/2012
GOV DICKSON URGE NEW PERMECS TO STEER AWAY FROM PARTISAN POLITICS
Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan and 18 others have been sworn-in as Permanent Secretaries in the Bayelsa State Civil Service with a charge to steer clear of partisan politics in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Delivering his charge at the swearing-in ceremony of the Permanent Secretaries at the Banquet Hall, Government house in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson admonished them not to get involved in politics and cause divisions in higher levels of authority.
According to Governor Dickson his administration is interested in building synergy and galvanise the people to enthrone enduring peace, prosperity and progress in all spheres of the state’s economy.
Explaining the rationale behind the appointment of the country’s first lady as Permanent Secretary, the Governor noted that, the appointment was in recognition of the significant contributions Dame Patience Jonathan has made to humanity both within and outside the country as the President African First Ladies Peace Mission and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Women for change Initiative among others.
Hon. Dickson also remarked that the appointment of Dame Patience Jonathan as Permanent Secretary was a clear demonstration of his administration’s resolve to project merit above every other consideration.
He explained that, the Permanent Secretaries were appointed based on their seniority in service, geographical spread as well as other factors other important factors in conformity with Civil Service guidelines.
The State Governor restated the administration’s preparedness to reposition the Public Service with a view to making it one of the best in the country.According to him, training and retraining of Public Servants in the State will continue to be given priority through the establishment of the Public Service Training Institute.
While expressing satisfaction with the gains made so far in the ongoing Verification Exercise in the Public Service, Governor Dickson called for a synergy on the part of all genuine stake holders to sanitise the system for the overall progress of the state.He also commended the women that were sworn-in, stressing that, they all made the list of Permanent Secretaries purely on merit and charged them to be exemplary in the discharge of their duties.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, the wife of the President, Dame (Dr) Patience Jonathan, assured the Governor of their resolve to deploy their collective expertise and experience to bear on the Public Service of the state.
The First Lady also expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to be appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state, adding that they would do everything humanly possible to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring that the dividends of democracy and good governance are delivered to Bayelsans.
Describing their appointments as the beginning of a new dawn in the state, the first Lady remarked that, they will assist the Governor to fulfill his wishes and aspirations for Bayelsans in every strata of the economy.
Those that took their oath of office along side the First Lady include Mr J E Oye, Samson Franco Ayebadomo, Mrs Anthonia Koroye, Mr Ziwari Billy, Buruboyefe John and Dikuro Ayebanuah. Others are Mr Serge Williams, Ozu Tomo Kuruom, Izein G. I. A, Mrs Philomena Aladei, Dr Omietimi Kojo, Philip Izonebi Ere and Otuogha Mathias. Also sworn in were Mr James Clinton, Mrs Linnet Tebepah, Moses Teibowei, Dr F A Samayin and Vivian Odiowei.Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
(Media & Public Affairs)