President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and former Governor Seriake Dickson were among dignitaries who, on Tuesday, eulogised the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, as she exited service.
The tributes were paid at the presentation of two books written by Walson-Jack, titled 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, Abuja.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, described Walson-Jack as a distinguished and remarkable public servant who repositioned the federal civil service to be more responsive and result-oriented.
According to Tinubu, Walson-Jack occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s public administration having served at both state and federal levels before rising to the pinnacle as Head of Service.
He noted that her decision to document her experience while still in office showed her understanding that public service is about legacy.
He said, “I did not have to preach reform to her. She came into office with a clear understanding that the civil service must continuously evolve if it is to meet the demands of a rapidly changing Nigeria.”
In his remarks, former President Jonathan recalled Walson-Jack’s courage in moving from the Rivers State civil service to Bayelsa State at its creation in 1996, and later to the federal service.
Jonathan disclosed that despite being a Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General in Bayelsa, she was graded as Assistant Director at the federal level, a development he described as demoralising.
He said he encouraged her to accept the offer, adding that her perseverance paid off.
Jonathan also recalled how the administration of late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha attempted to send senior Bayelsa permanent secretaries to the federal service but they were downgraded and declined the offer, except Walson-Jack.
He thanked President Tinubu for appointing her on merit as the first Bayelsan to become Head of Service.
Governor Diri, who was chief book presenter, described Walson-Jack as a woman of exceptional intellect, courage and discipline, and thanked Tinubu for appointing a daughter of Bayelsa in August 2024.
Quoting from one of the books, Diri said, “Hardship endured in the service of something meaningful is not merely suffering; it is formation,” adding that the statement aptly captured her 34-year career.
Diri recalled his working relationship with her when she served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Dickson while he was Principal Executive Secretary.
Also speaking, Senator Dickson said Walson-Jack made his job easier as Attorney-General due to her administrative acumen, and both implemented reforms that transformed the state’s judiciary.
He said he facilitated her career progression, including her admission to NIPSS and her secondment to the federal civil service with Jonathan’s approval, and later brought her back to serve as Commissioner for Science and Technology.
In her response, Walson-Jack appreciated President Tinubu and said the books were not about her tenure as Head of Service but a peek into her public service journey from 1996 and the scorecard of her administration.
The event was attended by senior government officials, former public office holders, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders and captains of industry, with a prayer offered by former First Lady, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Muhammed.
