Tinubu, Jonathan, Diri, Dickson hail retiring Head of Service, Walson-Jack

President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his predecessor, Seriake Dickson, have praised the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, for her contributions to Nigeria’s public service.

 

They spoke on Tuesday at the presentation of Walson-Jack’s two books, I Planted: A Memoir of Purposeful Service and Beyond the Mandate: A Memoir on Leadership, Legacy and Labour of Public Service, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

 

Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, Tinubu described Walson-Jack as a distinguished public servant who had contributed to repositioning the federal civil service.

 

The President said her career reflected selfless service, exceptional leadership and a commitment to humanity, noting that she had served at both state and federal levels before rising to become the nation’s Head of Service.

 

Tinubu also commended her for documenting her experiences and contributions to public administration, describing her efforts to make the civil service more responsive and result-oriented as commendable.

 

Jonathan, who attended the event with his wife, Patience Jonathan, recalled Walson-Jack’s transition from the Rivers State civil service to the newly created Bayelsa State in 1996 and her subsequent move to the federal civil service.

 

He recounted how she was downgraded to the position of Assistant Director after moving to Abuja, despite having served as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State.

 

Jonathan said the setback was difficult but encouraged her to accept the position, noting that her career eventually culminated in her becoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

 

He also thanked Tinubu for appointing Walson-Jack, describing her emergence as the first Bayelsan to occupy the position as a significant achievement for the state.

 

Diri, who was the chief presenter of the books, described Walson-Jack as a woman of courage, exceptional intellect and discipline.

 

The governor recalled working with her during his time as Principal Executive Secretary under the administration of former Governor Dickson, describing her as a disciplined administrator who brought intellect and strength to governance.

 

He said her 34-year career across the Rivers, Bayelsa and federal civil services represented a legacy of meritorious public service.

 

Dickson also described Walson-Jack as “a great servant of our people”, recalling their time working together when he served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State.

 

He said her administrative expertise contributed to reforms that strengthened the state’s Ministry of Justice and judiciary.

 

Dickson also recounted his role in advancing Walson-Jack’s career, including securing Jonathan’s approval for her participation in the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and her subsequent transfer to the federal civil service.

 

He further recalled that, as governor, he secured her secondment back to Bayelsa State, where she served as Commissioner for Science and Technology before returning to the federal civil service.

 

In her remarks, Walson-Jack thanked Tinubu for giving her the opportunity to serve his administration and the country.

 

She said the books were written to document her experiences and lessons from more than three decades in public service.

 

“The books are my attempt to set that record down honestly before memory does what memory always does,” she said, adding that they were intended to provide her personal account of the opportunities, challenges, reforms and lessons she encountered throughout her career.

 

Walson-Jack clarified that the books did not provide a full account of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, saying that story would be told at another time.

 

She said the occasion marked both her retirement from public service and the documentation of her 34-year career.

 

Walson-Jack, who will turn 60 on August 27, was appointed Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in August 2024.

 

The event was attended by senior government officials, former public office holders, traditional and political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, captains of industry and public servants, among others.