By Joke Kujenya
MRS DIDI Esther Walson-Jack has officially taken over as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
She succeeds Folasade Yemi-Esan, who retired on August 13, 2024.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swore her in during the Federal Executive Council meeting on August 12.
This marked the beginning of her tenure.
The handover ceremony took place at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on August 13, the same day Yemi-Esan formally stepped down.
Walson-Jack expressed her gratitude to God and President Tinubu for the opportunity to lead.
She emphasized her commitment to building on the achievements of her predecessors.
Specifically, she promised to continue and accelerate ongoing reform initiatives in the Civil Service.
Walson-Jack highlighted the importance of technology in transforming the Civil Service.
She committed to upholding the principles of Accountability, Meritocracy, Professionalism, Loyalty, and Efficiency (AMPLE) in all her actions.
Additionally, she called on all Civil Servants and stakeholders to support her vision and the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
In her farewell remarks, Yemi-Esan prayed for Walson-Jack’s success.
She asked God to provide her successor with the strength and wisdom needed to excel in her new role.
Walson-Jack’s career began as a State Counsel in Rivers State in 1992.
She later advanced to the position of Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State’s Ministry of Justice.
In 2009, she joined the Federal Civil Service.
By 2017, she was appointed Permanent Secretary.
She served in multiple key ministries, including Education, Power, Water Resources, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service.
During her tenure as Permanent Secretary, Walson-Jack was instrumental in several initiatives.
These include the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.
She also played a significant role in labour relations and the national minimum wage discussions.
Her contributions earned her the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
She is also an alumna of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
Walson-Jack is an accomplished author, known for her novel “Roses in the Thorns.”
She is married with children.
With her wealth of experience and dedication, she promises to steer the Civil Service toward greater efficiency and reform.
