By Derick peretengboro

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and former governor Seriake Dickson have commended the retiring Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, for her outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s public service.

The leaders spoke on Tuesday in Abuja 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.

Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, President Tinubu described Walson-Jack as a distinguished public servant whose leadership helped reposition the federal civil service for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Tinubu said her career demonstrated selfless service, exceptional leadership and commitment to humanity, noting that she had served at both state and federal levels before rising to become Nigeria’s chief bureaucrat.

According to the President, Walson-Jack understood that the civil service must constantly evolve to meet the demands of a changing Nigeria and an increasingly complex world.

“She came into the office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with a clear understanding that the civil service must continuously evolve if it is to meet the demands of a rapidly changing Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

Former President Jonathan, who attended the event with his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, also praised Walson-Jack, recalling the difficulties she encountered while transitioning from the Rivers State Civil Service to the newly created Bayelsa State Civil Service in 1996 and later to the federal service.

Jonathan recalled that despite being a Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General in Bayelsa State, Walson-Jack was downgraded to Assistant Director when she moved to the federal civil service.

He said the setback could have been demoralising but eventually became part of the experience that prepared her for greater responsibilities.

Jonathan congratulated her on her retirement and thanked President Tinubu for appointing her, describing the appointment as historic because it made her the first Bayelsan to become Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

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

Diri said her 34-year career spanning Rivers, Bayelsa and the federal civil service had brought honour to her family, Bayelsa State and Nigeria.

He recalled working with her during her time as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Dickson, describing her as a disciplined administrator and a steady influence in government.

According to him, Walson-Jack’s experiences in public service did not break her but helped shape the leader she eventually became.

Former Governor Seriake Dickson also described Walson-Jack as “a great servant of our people.”

Dickson recalled working with her when he was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State, saying her administrative expertise contributed significantly to reforms in the state’s Ministry of Justice.

He also recalled supporting her career advancement, including facilitating her attendance at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and her subsequent movement to the Federal Civil Service.

Walson-Jack, who turned 60 on Thursday, August 27, said the occasion marked both her retirement from public service and the documentation of her 34-year career.

Explaining the reason for writing the books, she said she wanted to preserve her experiences before they were lost to time.

She said the books documented her journey, the opportunities and frustrations she encountered, the reforms she witnessed and the lessons she learnt throughout her years in public service.

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

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 serving public servants.

Among those who attended or were represented were the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Rivers State Governor, represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Abel Enitan.

A major highlight of the ceremony was a special prayer for Walson-Jack by octogenarian Mrs. Ajoke Murtala-Mohammed, widow of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed.

The ceremony effectively marked the end of Walson-Jack’s active public service career and the beginning of a new phase focused on preserving and sharing the legacy of her decades of service.