By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has expressed happiness on the transformations evident in the Civil Servants of our time, such as increased confidence level, articulation and ability to speak out.
She admonished them to keep holding their heads high in their service to the country and ensure that the already attained standards are taken to the next higher level.
The HoSF gave this charge during a townhall meeting held on Thursday, in Abuja with staff of the OHCSF, organised by the Executives of the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC), OHCSF’s Chapter during a valedictory session in her honour, as she bows out of Office.
A statement by the Director, Communications, Muhammad A. Ahmed on Friday said the HoSF noted that gone are the days when civil servants were to be seen and not heard.
She encouraged them to speak out about the good things happening in the service.
While acknowledging God Almighty for all His goodness unto her, she also thanked the two Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as well as the incumbent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for their support and leadership.
She attributed her successes to the efforts of the Transformative Permanent Secretaries and indeed, the entire staff of the OHCSF.
She described the event as unprecedented because it is unheard of for a the Organised Labour to celebrate the exit of their principal due to the fact that they are mainly known for their negotiating skills not hospitality.
She reminded her audience that the Federal Civil Service Strategies and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25) drive is all about improving service delivery that will enhance governance for quality lives of the citizenry, also urging the Union to support the incoming HoSF to succeed in her tenure and also advised the latter to ensure the maintenance of open communication links with the Union to avoid faceoffs.
The HoSF equally used the opportunity to present six official vehicles to Directors in the Office and handed over keys of two Coaster (Hiace) buses to the Union to add to the ones available for ease of staff transportation, especially in these economic doldrums.
The HoSF-Designate, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and some Transformative Permanent Secretaries used the occasion to pour encomiums on the outgoing HoSF.
They unanimously alluded to her doggedness, selflessness and passion for transforming things for the better.
The high point of the eulogies was when the personality of the digital HoSF was aptly described by the HoSF Designate using the acronym of the core values of the Service, AMPLE.; Accountable, a strong advocate of Meritocracy, a Professional, Loyal servant and Efficient.
Earlier in his Opening Speech, the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, OHCSF, Mr. Raymond Omachi, reiterated that the townhall meeting was a special one meant not to interrogate but to celebrate the HoSF.
He added that the meeting was a demonstration of the sacrifices made for the Service by the HoSF.
Speaking on behalf of the staff, the President, JUNC, Mr. Sylvester Ameh commended the stewardship of the HoSF in the implementation of FCSSIP25, as well as building on what she met on assumption of Office. While appreciating her efforts towards alleviating the suffering of civil servants, he solicited for a better and improved welfare for workers from the in-coming HoSF.
