Tinubu, Jonathan, Diri, Dickson Celebrate Walson-Jack as She Retires After 34 Years in Public Service

President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his predecessor, Seriake Dickson, have paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, describing her as an accomplished public servant whose career has left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s civil service.

The tributes came on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of two books authored by Walson-Jack, “I Planted: A Memoir of Purposeful Service” and “Beyond the Mandate: A Memoir on Leadership, Legacy and Labour of Public Service.”

The event, attended by senior government officials, former public office holders, diplomats, traditional rulers and political leaders, also marked Walson-Jack’s retirement after 34 years in public service.

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, described Walson-Jack as a “remarkable and distinguished public servant” who contributed to repositioning the federal bureaucracy for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Tinubu said the occasion was not merely about launching two books but celebrating a career defined by selfless service, leadership and commitment to humanity.

According to the President, Walson-Jack occupies “a particularly distinguished place in our public administration history,” having served at both state and federal levels before rising to become Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service.

He said her decision to document her experiences while simultaneously carrying the responsibilities of the office demonstrated discipline and an understanding that public service was also about leaving knowledge and lessons for future generations.

Tinubu said Walson-Jack understood that Nigeria’s civil service must continuously evolve to respond to the demands of a changing country and an increasingly complex world.

“I have watched with admiration her efforts to reposition the federal civil service as a more responsive and result-oriented tool,” the President said.

Jonathan Recalls Career Challenges

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, recalled some of the challenges Walson-Jack faced during her transition from the Rivers State Civil Service to the newly created Bayelsa State Civil Service and later to the federal service.

Jonathan said her movement to the federal civil service was particularly challenging because she was downgraded to the position of Assistant Director despite having served as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State.

He said the situation was demoralising but encouraged her to accept the appointment, which she did.

“Some limitations or experiences in life might appear not very comfortable but God might use it to prepare you for something bigger,” Jonathan said.

He also recalled efforts by the late former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, to increase the representation of Bayelsans in the federal civil service.

Jonathan congratulated Walson-Jack on what he described as a meritorious retirement and commended her husband for supporting her throughout her career.

He also thanked President Tinubu for appointing her as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, making her the first Bayelsan to occupy the position.

Diri: She Made Bayelsa Proud

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

Diri, who attended the event with his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for appointing a daughter of Bayelsa State to the position in August 2024.

The governor quoted a passage from Walson-Jack’s memoir, which he said aptly captured her journey through public service.

He said the challenges she encountered in the Niger Delta, the state civil service and at the highest level of the federal bureaucracy did not break her but helped shape the leader she became.

Diri recalled working with Walson-Jack when she served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Seriake Dickson while he was Principal Executive Secretary.

“In that capacity, I saw first-hand the discipline, the intellect, and the quiet strength she brought to governance in Bayelsa State,” he said.

He described her as “the calm in the storm” and “the conscience that reminded us that every decision must serve the people.”

Diri said her retirement after 34 years of service should not be viewed as an end but as a transition from active public service to an enduring legacy.

Dickson Praises “Great Servant”

Former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson also praised Walson-Jack, describing her as “a great servant of our people.”

Dickson recalled meeting her when he was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice under Jonathan, while Walson-Jack was Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the state.

He said her administrative expertise helped make his work easier and contributed to reforms that strengthened the state’s justice system.

Dickson also recounted his involvement in advancing Walson-Jack’s career, including securing approvals for her participation in the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and subsequent movement to the federal civil service.

He said he later sought her return to Bayelsa during his tenure as governor, where he appointed her Commissioner for Science and Technology before she was eventually reposted to Abuja.

Dickson thanked President Tinubu for appointing her as Head of Service, Jonathan for supporting her career and the late Alamieyeseigha for appointing her as one of the youngest Permanent Secretaries and Solicitor-General of the state.

Walson-Jack: Books Are My Record of Service

In her remarks, Walson-Jack thanked President Tinubu for giving her the opportunity to serve his administration and the country.

She said the two books were written to document her experiences before the passage of time distorted her memories of public service.

“The books are my attempt to set that record down honestly before memory does what memory always does,” she said.

Walson-Jack explained that the books were not intended to flatter her but to provide her personal account of the public service system, including its opportunities, frustrations, reforms and lessons.

She said her journey stretched from the Ministry of Justice in the newly created Bayelsa State in 1996 to the federal civil service.

The retiring Head of Service clarified that the books did not constitute a full account of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, saying that story would be told at another time.

She instead offered readers a glimpse into the achievements recorded during her tenure through a summary of the administration’s scorecard.

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

Other dignitaries at the event included Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Rivers State Deputy Governor Ngozi Ordu, who represented the governor, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha and the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan.

The event also attracted members of the diplomatic community, traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry, senior civil servants and other public officials.

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