President Bola Tinubu Swears in Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack as New Head of Civil Service of the Federation
On a significant afternoon on Monday, August 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu officially swore in Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The ceremony took place at approximately 1:00 pm in the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Mrs. Walson-Jack’s appointment marks a pivotal transition in the Federal Civil Service, succeeding Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who has been serving as the Head of Service since March 4, 2020. Dr. Yemi-Esan’s tenure came to a close on August 11, 2024, a day before she reached the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The swearing-in ceremony was a moment of both reflection and anticipation, occurring nearly a month after President Tinubu had approved Mrs. Walson-Jack’s appointment on July 17, 2024. In his remarks, President Tinubu acknowledged the weight of the role Mrs. Walson-Jack was about to undertake. “You’re stepping into very big shoes,” he stated, emphasizing the responsibility and the high expectations that accompany the position. The President expressed his hopes that she would be guided by divine wisdom, integrity, and the strength necessary to serve both the nation and the civil service with exceptional success.
The President also took the opportunity to commend the outgoing Head of Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, for her distinguished service. President Tinubu lauded Dr. Yemi-Esan’s tenure, describing it as “exceptional” and highlighted her dedication, commitment, and loyalty to the Federal Civil Service. “Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan must be thanked for her exceptional tenure as Head of Service,” he said, further expressing the nation’s gratitude for her steadfast commitment to public service.
Born on August 27, 1966, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has had a remarkable career trajectory that underscores her suitability for the role. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and was subsequently called to the bar in 1987. Her professional journey in public service began with significant roles in Bayelsa State, where she served as Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice starting in July 2002.
Mrs. Walson-Jack’s foray into the Federal Civil Service began with her role as the pioneer State Co-ordinator for the Rivers State Office of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Her career in the federal realm further advanced as she took on the role of Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education in January 2024, following the retirement of Mr. David Andrew Adejo. Her appointment to this position was a testament to her extensive experience and leadership capabilities.
The swearing-in ceremony was followed by President Tinubu’s presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting. This meeting had been postponed a week earlier to allow the President to convene with his Security Chiefs to address the nationwide protests that had recently erupted. The FEC meeting was set to discuss several critical issues and memos that had been deferred from the previous meeting held on July 29.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, highlighted some of the key agenda items for the meeting. Among them were the Natalla-Boru Road project in Kano State, the Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State, and the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which Umahi reported as being “85 percent complete.” These projects are crucial for regional connectivity and infrastructure development and are expected to be significant topics of discussion in the council’s deliberations.
As Mrs. Walson-Jack steps into her new role, the civil service community and the nation at large look forward to her leadership and the continued progress of public service initiatives. The transition from Dr. Yemi-Esan to Walson-Jack represents a period of change and potential growth within the Federal Civil Service, reflecting the ongoing evolution of Nigeria’s public administration.
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