Appointments: Era of godfatherism over – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that as far as Federal Government appointments to public offices and key positions are concerned, the era of “godfatherism’’ is over.

The minister stated this in Abuja yesterday at a thanksgiving reception by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Ms Grace Gekpe.

Mohammed, who was represented by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stated that appointment to positions in the Federal Government “is strictly by merit’’.

“Gone are those days when people were appointed into positions by other factors apart from merit.

“Most of us must have heard that the new permanent secretaries were asked to write examination; Gekpe was one of the very few that scaled through the examination.

Gekpe is a shining and beautiful woman. That could have earned her the appointment, but not under this regime of change.

“She is a permanent secretary by virtue of hard work, merit and because she has a lot of things to offer,’’ he said.

The minister said that the ministry was proud of Gekpe, satisfied with her appointment and wished her all the best.

In a brief remark, Gekpe said her appointment was a call to serve the country.

NAN reports that a thanksgiving service was held at the Living Faith Church, Jahi District, before the reception.