Again Wole Soyinka has demonstrated his usual fearlessness and firm resolve to stand for what is right. I think that the crux of this article is his unreserved praise for the outstanding performance of the Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom State. Like all right thinking Nigerians, Soyinka has downplayed the importance conferred on Dame Patience's appointment by gutter tabloids and opposition elements. The truth is that the issue should never even have been an issue for National discourse as it is trivial, mundane and irrelevant to the general outlook of the Nation's administration and the scant attention Soyinka gives the issue is an example for all Nigerians.

Elueme: My people, the prof is right.. As I said b4 only conscience lies on her to accept the job or not. As for the post being for senior civil servants; who said she's a junior civil servant? And the constitution of the state also allows the gov to promote a worker based on exceptional qualities.... These are ways we can even make our first women more useful,sera and let's shun bias... That office is unconstitutional so they should find something engaging... Let's encourage her

stealing the state's money = exceptional quality of a worker. Please educate me more.

twinstaiye: Mrs Jonathan is still a civil servant under Bayelsa State government, she only took a leave of absence to become first lady ever since her hubby became deputy governor up till now. By being the first lady, and as the true daughter of Bayelsa, she is like a beacon of light to them, and it is only fair that when her peers are being promoted, she also should be promoted, which brings out the reason why she is given the appointment as a perm sec. University Lecturers, Sports men and women etc had all being allowed to go on leave of absence on a special circumstances, and I dont think Her excellency Dame Patience Jonathan should be an exception. Kongi, our own WS, had hit the nail on the head, who cares whose ox is gored.

maybe now would be a good time for her to account to the people of Bayelsa what she did with their N100 million that she stole and laundered with the help of her sister in London.

Beacon of light my arse! have you ever come across a perm sec that has problems reading and writing? well, now you have one in the person of Mrs Jonathan - Nigeria! what a country!

All u nairalanders can keep hating GEJ. I hope it doesn't lead u clowns to a seizure or heart attack. Yes Patience Jona got the civil service job because of GEJ influence, who was deputy governor @ that point in time. Hypocrites, if u all get in positions of affluence....pls don't help members of ur family. Its not as if she wasn't qualified to get d job in d 1st place. She has been promoted to d position of perm sec! So? Isn't she qualified? After all, being 1st lady isn't constitutional! Or is phucking GEJ also a national duty? Abeg leave GEJ alone joor!!!!

VERY SOON IT WOULD B UNCONSTITUTIONAL 4 SUMOME TO RISE FROM BEING A TEACHER TO BEING PRESIDENT IN 12 YEARS.. I'm no fan of GEJ, but rather than hate, his story should inspire us. The Americans would call it "The American Dream"!

The love of Oil and Gas is the root of all evil.

I wonder why you guys are attacking Soyinka. Is what he said a lie? Doesn't Patience Jonathan have the constitutional right to occupy that office? Then why the derogatory remarks.

This only proves us right when we say those insulting GEJ are on an agenda and are suffering from pull him down syndrome. Typical African witchcraft spirit of "let the whole thing fail if we are not on board."

They have no point most times. See them shouting a few days ago like they had a strong case. They label any GEJ action a gaffe and they are still poor, impoverish 8 to 5, hadn to mouth id1ots who can at best pay for Internet connection. Never achieved anything meaningful in their lives, yet they think they know stuff about governance. Now they want to even advise and correct Kongi! Dunces! SMH.

isn't it obvious that, like someone has said earlier, Soyinka said this tongue-in-cheek? Surely no one believes that he of all people would sanction this aberration. Its so glaring that you almost miss it lol.
Only that, except if wole soyinka himself has become infected with a virulent strain of GEJ's rampaging i-talk-and-think-afterwards contagion.

uzomagic: Again Wole Soyinka has demonstrated his usual fearlessness and firm resolve to stand for what is right. I think that the crux of this article is his unreserved praise for the outstanding performance of the Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom State. Like all right thinking Nigerians, Soyinka has downplayed the importance conferred on Dame Patience's appointment by gutter tabloids and opposition elements. The truth is that the issue should never even have been an issue for National discourse as it is trivial, mundane and irrelevant to the general outlook of the Nation's administration and the scant attention Soyinka gives the issue is an example for all Nigerians.

Like they say: small (opposition) minds discuss people and events, great minds discuss ideas (agric revolution, PIB, FOI, locally made goods revolution, etc)

Am in surppot too. I see nothing wrong with it. The woman is more productive than that so called president. If jona can be president patience can be governor self. Give the woman a chance. I can actually see good things comin out of her, she just needs some guiding due to her lack of higher education. Patience dey try.

cap28:

maybe now would be a good time for her to account to the people of Bayelsa what she did with their N100 million that she stole and laundered with the help of her sister in London.

!

F.ool. Are you the one who caught her? As old as you are, you still vend fake rumors. Patience Jonathan has never been caught with millions. If she's caugh today, we will all know. The media will cover it just the way they covered the likes of Alams, Dariye. I don't know whether you saw this piece of shit in your imaginary world. Mind what you say so that an action on defamation will not lie against you..

afam4eva: I wonder why you guys are attacking Soyinka. Is what he said a lie? Doesn't Patience Jonathan have the constitutional right to occupy that office? Then why the derogatory remarks.

He made a statement that does not have much meaning really. First, to the Constitution the woman is just another Nigerian, but Bayelsa law which this really applies, she is a Nigerian subject to the state's laws, and that is what really matters here.

Prof Wole Soyinka. Sorry, I need to humbly put it that you are on your own on this matter o.

edicolove: This only proves us right when we say those insulting GEJ are on an agenda and are suffering from pull him down syndrome. Typical African witchcraft spirit of "let the whole thing fail if we are not on board."

They have no point most times. See them shouting a few days ago like they had a strong case. They label any GEJ action a gaffe and they are still poor, impoverish 8 to 5, hadn to mouth id1ots who can at best pay for Internet connection. Never achieved anything meaningful in their lives, yet they think they know stuff about governance. Now they want to even advise and correct Kongi! Dunces! SMH.

What a strong case is more than reserving the highest position in civil service to "her fellow widows", when the best brains are abound. What kind of development do you expect in this kind of situation?

Thats his own opinion any way...
I support my Nobel Laurette! Gbam

Dr. Wise:
CB of TTG is absolutely right. Yoha to your bones.

Capon no dey lie

LMAO!
Some houseflies here are still saying he's wrong.

Are u saying u know more than him?

Ileke-IdI:
O ti pe ti mo ti n so pe Soyinka is getting too old and rusty for politics.

Dem don push something enter this guy hand be dat.

Prof go and rest we are tired with all these your noise.

berem: na wetin patience give oga shoyinka chop?

ohhhhhh chai...Wole why do u say this..-integrity don dey fall ohhh!!!

Prof was once asked why he was not in politics,
he said 'im just a checker, putting good and democratic governance in place'
when the govt has or wants to go astray thats when i shout.

She was appointed perminent secretary in her state and some nigerians are just jeolous why? Naija people, make una change una hate attitude, e no good at all.

d only tin i support in his speech is all state govt shd stop differentiating btw state or federal road constructions afterall dis roads passes thru ur state, so pls all state govt shd follow suit

Kobojunkie: Well, it is not the Constitution that has to disqualify her from the office but Bayelsa State's own rules which stipulate that the seat goes to Senior officers in the Civil force.

True!

alaoeri: They don share ghana must go reach wole soyinka side for saying this.

Lol!

kingoflag: On this one, I think Prof. Soyinka is wrong. Even if the Constitution said it was right, even if Bayelsa Rules said she could get the job[b]-- ETHICALLY-- IT WAS WRONG!!![/b] You don't just pull someone out of pseudo-retirement ---the wife of the President for that matter--- and give her a Job for which she has had no experience in 12yrs. The civil service is not a private company, and even Private Companies rarely take such risks. Lets even assume she took the job, how could the ministry function with all the distractions that are bound to occur with her being in the building; Retinue of Aides, Security Agents, and the usual hanger ons and "Contract Beggars" that are sure to show up day after day begging for Government Contracts? How will security at the gate determine who is there for legitimate business and who is there to beg for N500m road contract? Prof. Soyinka, you see where I'm coming from?

Nigerians are wasting time not having impeached this man and his likes all across the country, in droves. Three more years of this man and by 2015, Nigeria will (in comparison to Developed countries) be like Togo of 1972. ITS THAT BAD!
GEJ has nothing to offer the country, and its his little actions like this that show it to us all. He is not in control of anything, not even capable of encouraging his silly wife to distance herself from silly spectacles such as this.

What a shame for a country with so much potential for greatness.

I don't think you're a public servant. Please read the public service rules before you comment.

PROF! I still hail u, but ds one I no fit talk.

what do u xpect him to say at a state govt function.

we know its not unconstitutional but its morally not right to me. I hope good old soyinka is not growing senile already

Boko Haram ∂ Manifestation of ∂ virulent( actively poisonous) religion

This ♏ãn get mind oh!

Bt concerning τ̲̣̣̥н̣̣̣̝̇̇̇ε̲̣̣̣̥ perm sec issue well,...

kingoflag: On this one, I think Prof. Soyinka is wrong. Even if the Constitution said it was right, even if Bayelsa Rules said she could get the job[b]-- ETHICALLY-- IT WAS WRONG!!![/b] You don't just pull someone out of pseudo-retirement ---the wife of the President for that matter--- and give her a Job for which she has had no experience in 12yrs. The civil service is not a private company, and even Private Companies rarely take such risks. Lets even assume she took the job, how could the ministry function with all the distractions that are bound to occur with her being in the building; Retinue of Aides, Security Agents, and the usual hanger ons and "Contract Beggars" that are sure to show up day after day begging for Government Contracts? How will security at the gate determine who is there for legitimate business and who is there to beg for N500m road contract? Prof. Soyinka, you see where I'm coming from?

Nigerians are wasting time not having impeached this man and his likes all across the country, in droves. Three more years of this man and by 2015, Nigeria will (in comparison to Developed countries) be like Togo of 1972. ITS THAT BAD!
GEJ has nothing to offer the country, and its his little actions like this that show it to us all. He is not in control of anything, not even capable of encouraging his silly wife to distance herself from silly spectacles such as this.

What a shame for a country with so much potential for greatness.

beautifully said.