President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Esther Walson-Jack as the Head of Civil Service (HoS) of the Federation.
The brief ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.
The new HoS’ appointment was approved last month by President Tinubu following the expected retirement of outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, on August 13, 2024.
During a valedictory session held in honour of the immediate past HoS Folashade Yemi-Esan, Tinubu tasked the public service to be dedicated to work, hailing her for her commitment to work.
“Dr Folashade Yemi Esan must be thanked for her very exceptional tenure as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and we must learn from her more commitment to duty, loyalty, and great vision, she served our nation exceptionally well with more commitment to duty, loyalty and great vision with distinction guiding the Civil Service rule with significant transformation and reforms,” Tinubu said at the event.
“Her dedication to enhancing efficiency, transparency her professionalism has set a high standard for public administration in Nigeria,” President Tinubu added, saying: “She steps down we expressed our deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment and the significant impact she has made in our country”.
After the swearing-in, Walson-Jack promised to build on existing reforms and bring innovations and creativity to the service.
“All public servants must understand that they are here to serve the nation not to serve any other body but the nation and I would just want to appeal to them that always they should put the progress of the nation first before another thing and with that, I am sure Nigeria will attain the greatness that God has purposed it to be,” Yemi-Esan.
After the event, the Council went into a closed-door session with the newly sworn-in HoS part of the meeting.
In another development, President Tinubu has celebrated Rena Wakama for her exploits at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Wakama, who is the D’Tigress coach, led the Nigerian side to a historic quarter-final outing (the first African team to do so both male/female) at the Games before bowing gallantly to the US. Her exploits at the Olympics earned her the best women’s coach prize, an honour Tinubu said is deserving.
“President Tinubu states that the recognition of Ms. Wakama, 32, by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), further accents her well-established leadership qualities and dedication to excellence,” presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a Monday statement.
“The President commends the team, the coach, and all those who played a part in the unprecedented feat at the Olympics, enjoining them not to relent or become crestfallen but to remain resilient and determined for greatness.”
Nigeria failed to win a medal in the competition, marking one of the country’s worst outings at the Olympics.
But Tinubu has thanked the athletes for their sacrifices, wishing them success in their careers.
“President Tinubu affirms that winning trophies and medals is the ultimate goal in competitive sports, but nothing trumps the place of good sportsmanship, discipline, and sacrifice shown by all those who held the Nigerian flag at the Olympic Games,” he said.
“The President thanks the Nigerian contingent and wishes them success in their respective endeavours.”