The outgoing Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, received glowing tributes from her successor, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, along with Permanent Secretaries and other civil servants, in recognition of her dedication, selflessness, and transformative leadership in the civil service.
At a Townhall meeting organized by the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC) and held in Abuja, Walson-Jack praised Yemi-Esan for her monumental contributions to the Nigerian civil service.
She highlighted Yemi-Esan’s embodiment of the core values of the service, captured in the acronym AMPLE: Accountable, Meritocratic, Professional, Loyal, and Efficient.
The Permanent Secretary of the Common Services Office at the OHCSF, Mr. Raymond Omachi, FCA, in his opening remarks, emphasized that the meeting was not only a celebration but a testament to the sacrifices made by Yemi-Esan for the betterment of the civil service.
Representing the staff, the President of JUNC, Mr. Sylvester Ameh, commended Yemi-Esan’s leadership in implementing the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25).
He acknowledged her efforts in improving the welfare of civil servants and called on the incoming HoSF to further enhance workers’ welfare.
In her response, Yemi-Esan expressed her satisfaction with the evident transformations in the civil service, particularly noting the increased confidence and assertiveness among civil servants.
She urged them to continue upholding the high standards achieved and to boldly speak out about the positive developments within the service.
Reflecting on her tenure, Yemi-Esan thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support and leadership.
She attributed her successes to the collective efforts of the transformative Permanent Secretaries and the entire OHCSF staff.
Yemi-Esan remarked on the unprecedented nature of the event, noting that it was uncommon for organized labor to celebrate the departure of their principal, given their primary role in negotiations.
She reminded the audience of the ongoing FCSSIP25 initiative, emphasizing its focus on improving service delivery for the betterment of the nation.
In her final act as HoSF, Yemi-Esan presented six official vehicles to Directors within the office and handed over keys to two Coaster (Hiace) buses to the Union to ease staff transportation, particularly in the current challenging economic climate.
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack is set to assume office on August 14, 2024, as Yemi-Esan’s five-year tenure as Head of Service comes to an end.
