The outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has attributed her success to the support from the administrations of President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yemi-Esan who made this known at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC) in her honour to bid her a final farewell from the service, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve the nation.
She described the event as unprecedented, saying she had never witnessed such honour done by the union officials for others who had retired from the service before her.
“I thank God for the opportunity to serve my country. I never dreamt to become the Head of Service of the Federation if not the hand of God who made it. I also want to thank former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu who made my work easier for me.
“My transformative Permanent Secretaries are not left out as they are dedicated and hardworking to give me the needed support,” she said.
While appreciating the entire members of staff, the HOS advised them not to relent in their efforts in the discharge of duties to their fatherland.
“I know how difficult it is to come to work today in Nigeria with lot of challenges faced by the civil servants ranging from house rent, school fees, feeding, how to come to work among others.
“I do not want the standard that we have already attained to drop in spite of all these challenges,” she advised.
She also advised the incoming HOCSF, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, who was also present at the event to make her line of communication with the union and members of staff open for harmonious working relationship.
In his comments, the JUNC President, Mr Sylvester Abah, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for Yemi-Esan’s appointment as the HOCSF, saying that her appointment was the best decision that came at the right time.
According to Abah, Yemi-Esan’s present had made remarkable changes in the service through adoption of Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25) and other rewards initiative programmes introduced in the system during her tenure.
The incoming Head of Service, Didi Walson-Jack, who described the day as special, commended the good foundation laid by Yemi-Esan which according to her, would make her job easier.
She noted that Dr.Yemi-Esan had applied what she called the core values espoused by the FCSSIP25 which comprise of Accountability, Meritocracy, Professionalism, Loyalty and Efficiency (AMPLE) that are critical enablers for the sustenance of the reforms in the service.
The incoming Head of Civil Service further said that Yemi-Esan has been loyal to the two presidents she worked with adding that she also applied the true tenet of the civil service for effective service delivery.
