Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, was among the number of prominent Nigerians who attended a special thanksgiving and dedication service in honour of the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Prof Steve Azaiki, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, Kemasoude Wodu (SAN), and a former Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Barr. Kemela Okara, were some of the dignitaries that also attended the service.
The service which took place at the Family Worship Centre, Wuye in Abuja, shortly after the swearing-in of Walson-Jack featured special prayers for the new federal civil service boss.
Walson-Jack in her remarks described her elevation as divine, saying it is only the Almighty God that could have designed the possibility of her reaching the pinnacle of her career and make it manifest before her eventual retirement from the service.
While reading from the bible verse Jeremiah 29:11, Walson-Jack said her new position was a call to higher service, assuring that she will serve diligently and live up to what is expected of her.
She thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in her and also appreciated her predecessor, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, "for her mentorship and guidance throughout my career."
''I look forward to building on the existing reforms in a way that will bring innovation and creativity, so that the civil service can be more effective and efficient to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda,'' she said.
President Tinubu, while addressing Walson-Jack, after she took her oath of office and, after her swearing-in, urged her to serve the nation with integrity and transparency.
Mrs. Walson-Jack who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987, commenced her public service career as a state counsel in Rivers State in 1992, and rose to the position of Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.
In 2009, she joined the Federal Civil Service and was appointed as Permanent Secretary in 2017.
She has held key positions in several ministries, including Niger Delta, Power, Water Resources, Education, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service.
Known to be credited with initiatives, such as the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH) and contributions to labour relations and the national minimum wage, the new Head of the Civil Service is an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and an alumna of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.
