By Emmanuel Nduka and Ere-ebi Agedah
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack (OON, MNI) has expressed commitment to the welfare of civil servants across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday in commemoration of her 100 days in office, the HCSF recalled that by the time she assumed office on August 14, 2024, the new minimum wage had already been approved by President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), and that “it became imperative to work on the consequential adjustments of salaries arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage”.
She thanked the chairperson and executives of the National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council for their cooperation and understanding that facilitated the conclusion of negotiations in “record time”. “My profound gratitude also goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustments to salaries, and for ensuring their prompt payment, thus demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of civil servants,” she added.
Recounting her “transformative” strides in the last 100 days, Walson-Jack said it is now time to perform a thorough audit of progress made so far, and identify the goals ahead. “Today’s event is not just about celebrating milestones, but also about fostering transparency, sharing our vision for the future, and ensuring that every Nigerian understands the importance of the reforms we are undertaking in the federal civil service”.
The HCSF said her commitment to fast track and sustain the Six Pillars for reforms outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021 to 2025) remains unfettered. “This strategy is a blueprint for transforming the civil service into a professional, efficient and globally competitive institution. To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven War Rooms, each dedicated to overseeing one of the Six Pillars of the FCSSIP reforms”.
Harping on the importance of partnerships and collaboration, she said this has been at the heart of her efforts in her early days in office.
Mrs Walson-Jack listed that the Office under her leadership has set out workable partnerships with the World Bank, UK Civil Service, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation, and Nigeria’s National Assembly.
Heritage Times HT reports that highlights of Monday’s event included the unveiling/relaunch of the Service Welfare Newsletter and Civil Service News Magazine.
