THISDAYonline

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday swore-in three Federal Permanent Secretaries to fill in existing vacancies created by statutory requirements.

He, however, reminded them of the fact that there is a lot to be done, while predicting that there will be a bumper harvest this year.

The President who described the appointment of the permanent secretaries as symbolic by tying the two female and one male combination to year 2004 being a year of women, noted that the timing of their swearing-in is an indication of what the year will be.

The new permanent secretaries and their portfolios are Dr (Mrs) Timiebi Koripamo-Agary (Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity, Ambassador (Mrs) Nkem Wadibia-Anyanwu (Foreign Affairs) and Dr Rafiq Olayiwola Ogunbambi (Management Services) in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

In his short address immediately after the swearing-in which took place at the Council Chambers shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President Obasanjo charged the permanent secretaries to always have in mind the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation, adding that they should at all times seek the face of God as they take over and execute their new responsibilities.

"You know that there is a lot to be done and it is a mark of confidence that you are made a permanent secretary. Whatever you do, you need to put the corporate interest of Nigeria above all others," the President advised.