JONATHAN APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF 3 PERM SECS

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries for the Federal Civil Service.

The new appointees, according to Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, are; Mr. Olisaeloke Emordi, Mrs. Folasade Anjoni and Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia.

Announcing the appointments yesterday, Afolabi stated that the appointment of Emordi and Anjoni takes effect from August 24, 2011 while that of Mrs. Daniel-Nwaobia would be effective from December 22, 2011.

Meanwhile, the President has directed Vice President Namadi Sambo to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa in relation to issuance of visas to citizens of both countries, under the aegis of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

President Jonathan stated this, yesterday, during the visit of Hon. Charles Ngakula, Special Adviser on International Relations to South African President, Jacob Zuma, who brought a special message to the State House.

He said, 'I have told my Vice President, to quickly commence meetings of the Nigeria -South Africa Bi-National Commission, to look at issues such as issuance of visas to our citizens who need to transact business in our two countries'. The President expressed appreciation to the Government and people of South Africa for the warm and cordial hospitality being enjoyed by members of the Nigerian community in that country.

He said Nigeria would continue to make efforts to strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries, and thanked Ngakula for the message from President Zuma. Earlier, the visiting Special Adviser had expressed his country's appreciation of President Jonathan's contributions to the development of Africa, as well as his role in strengthening the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

He also briefed President Jonathan on other issues of bilateral and multilateral interests.