Walson-Jack takes over as HoS, promises civil service reforms

Esther Walson-Jack, the newly appointed head of the service (HoS) of the federation, has taken over from Folashade Yemi-Esan, her predecessor.

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu swore in Walson-Jack as the HoS of the federation to succeed Yemi-Esan, who is proceeding on retirement.

In a statement on Tuesday, M. A. Ahmed, director of communications in the office of the HoS, said Walson-Jack thanked God for taking her to the pinnacle of her career.

“She also appreciated Mr. President for the trust and confidence reposed in her to serve the nation, promising to honour the achievements of her predecessors by continuing and fast-tracking ongoing reform initiatives in the Service,” the statement reads.

“While reiterating the maximum use of technology in driving transformation in the service, the new head of service promised to maintain, enforce, and deploy the core principles of the service, namely, accountability, meritocracy, professionalism, loyalty, and efficiency (AMPLE) in all her dealings.

“She, however, beckoned on all stakeholders and civil servants to support the vision and mission of the service toward the realisation of the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.”

Earlier, Yemi-Esan prayed to God to sustain Walson-Jack and give her the necessary strength and wisdom to excel on the job.

Walson-Jack holds a law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the bar in 1987.

She started her civil service career as a state counsel in Rivers State in 1992 and rose to the position of solicitor-general and permanent secretary, ministry of Justice in Bayelsa state.

Walson-Jack joined the federal civil service in 2009 and was appointed as permanent secretary in 2017.

She served in several MDAs, including the OHCSF, Niger Delta affairs, power, water resources, sanitation, and education.