The second wife of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Hajjia Sa’adatu Ladi Atiku Abubakar, is among the new permanent secretaries appointed by Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa State.

In a statement issued by the secretary to the state government, Chief John Manassa on Thursday in Yola, the state capital, the governor approved the appointment of five new permanent secretaries in the state.

The Vice President’s wife was, until her new appointment, the executive chairperson of the State Primary Education Board. She is also a former principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Yola.

Similarly, Hajia Salamatu Mohammed Bala, a former Commissioner of Education, is now Permanent Secretary.

Others are Mr. Cornelius Deban, Bukar Audu Kiri and Mr. Hezron Fada.

The statement did not specify which ministries have been or will be assigned to them, but it stated that they would all be sworn-in at a later date.

The government also expressed its willingness to retire all those permanent secretaries who have reach retirement age.

"All permanent secretaries who have less than six months to retire from the service are hereby directed to put in their letters of retirement accordingly," Chief Manassah further stated.

The appointment of Hajia Ladi as permanent secretary has put to rest speculations that she might retain her position as the chairperson of the lucrative State Primary Education Board.

Also, Hajia Salamatu’s new appointment has ended rumours that she was among the immediate past commissioners who would make it to the new cabinet.

Others who failed to retain their executive posts include ex-commissioner of water resources, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mai, who is now special adviser in the same ministry, Dr. Othman Abubakar, ex-information commissioner, who becomes Director-General (Mesuem and Monuments); Mrs. Titi Maliki, former Women Secretary and Mr. Richard Hallendendu, former commissioner of rural infrastructures who becomes a special adviser on planning and strategy.