Dame Patience Jonathan Road today became Abuja’s newest road. Named for the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, the refurbished road links the Defence Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), which was responsible for its construction, with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Barracks.

 The gesture comes four months after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, unilaterally renamed the Maitama Extension District in Abuja as Goodluck Jonathan District.

Speaking at today’s commissioning ceremony, Mrs Apolonia Petinrin, the president of DEPOWA, said her association executed the project with the assistance of the armed forces and the police.

Noting that the road had been in a terribly dilapidated state, she explained that compassion for the less privileged in the community was responsible for the decision of her association to improve its condition.

In her remarks, Mrs. Jonathan said that the cooperation of the private sector was central to the success of her husband’s Transformation Agenda, and that the new road would serve the interests of members of DEPOWA, the barracks community and other road users.

“The gesture will also provide an evidence of the capability of our women to initiate and execute projects and programmes critical and beneficial to the well-being of our nation,” Mrs. Jonathan said.

She urged DEPOWA not to relent in its efforts, and users of the road to use it responsibly.

Last week, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson appointed Mrs. Jonathan to the job of a permanent secretary in Bayelsa State, where she had previously worked.  It was learned that Mrs. Jonathan, who will be sworn in tomorrow, has been drawing a salary in the state administration since 1999.  

She has indicated that she will perform her duties in Bayelsa as a Permanent Secretary from Abuja.


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