By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has commended the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s public service, describing her wealth of experience as a valuable national asset.
Zulum made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of Walson-Jack’s two books, Beyond the Mandate and I Planted, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel to mark the culmination of her 34-year career in public service.
The governor praised Walson-Jack for what he described as a distinguished career spanning service in Cross River and Bayelsa states as well as the Federal Civil Service.
According to him, Walson-Jack’s retirement from the office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should not be interpreted as an end to her contribution to national development.
He noted that the knowledge, professional relationships and institutional experience she acquired over more than three decades would continue to be relevant to the country.
“You are retiring from an office, not from service. The knowledge, relationships and experience accumulated over more than three decades will remain invaluable national assets,” Zulum said.
The governor urged the retiring civil servant to remain actively involved in nation-building through mentorship, policy development and other platforms that would enable her to deploy her expertise for the benefit of society.
Zulum also announced that the Borno State Government would acquire 100 copies of the two books at a cost of N30 million, describing the publication of her experiences as an important contribution to institutional knowledge and public service development.
He congratulated Walson-Jack on the milestone and wished her good health, fulfilment and continued relevance in the years ahead.
The event attracted an array of prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the wife of former Head of State, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Mohammed.
Senior government officials, serving and retired public servants, family members, friends and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony to honour Walson-Jack and celebrate her decades of service to the nation.
