The new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has been sworn in by President Bola Tinubu nearly a month since her appointment was confirmed on July 17.
Jack took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja at around 1:00 pm just before the Federal Executive Council meeting started on Monday.
She takes over from Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who was the substantive Head of State from March 4, 2020, to August 12, 2024, one day short of becoming sixty.
While receiving the new Head of Service, Tinubu said, “You’re stepping into very big shoes, and we pray that God continues to guide you, provide you with wisdom and enhance your integrity to serve this country and the civil service in the most successful way.”
The president while commending the outgoing head of service said, “Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan must be thanked for her exceptional tenure as Head of Service. We thank her for her commitment, duty and loyalty.
“As she steps down, we express our deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment to the service of her country. As we bid farewell to her, we are also here to swear in officially the new Head of Service.”
In July 2002, she held the positions of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State.
She began her career in the Federal Civil Service at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she worked as the first State Coordinator of the Ministry’s Rivers State Office.
However, Walson-Jack served as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education since January 2024, following the retirement of the substantive Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. David Andrew Adejo.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the president took the chair at the FEC meeting.
In order to discuss the widespread protests, the President had rescheduled the meeting with his security chiefs one week prior.
Among other things, the council is likely to discuss the memos that were stepped down at its July 29 meeting.
According to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, they include the Natalla-Boru Road in Kano State, the Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State, and the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which, he said, is “85 percent complete.”