The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, assumes office and has pledged reward for excellence for the staff members of the ministry.
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PROTOCOL
A CALL TO MORE EXCELLENT SERVICE
It is with great pleasure and a sense of responsibility that I stand before you today as I assume the role of Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, I express my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome the Honourable Ministers. Directors, and the Federal Ministry of Education staff extended to me
2 It is a profound honour to step into the role of Permanent Secretary continuing the legacy of distinguished predecessors who have devoted themselves to out nation’s service within this Ministry Among the illustrious individuals who have graced this position. I must spotlight the remarkable Dr Mrs Folashade Yeni-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. A proud alumna of our Federal Government Colleges, she served as a Permanent Secretary in this Ministry and is a shining example of excellence and dedication Equally noteworthy is my esteemed predecessor Mr. David Adejo Andrew whose remarkable 35 year tenure exemplifies an unwavering commitment to the betterment of our nation
I join you all again in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to my brother 3. the former Permanent Secretary Mr. David Adejo Andrew, for his 35 years of service to our nation. We who are still in service will continue to serve with the zeal and passion of predecessors like him. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources workforce, we wish him a restful retirement and the best in all his future endeavours We also thank Mr. Zubairu Abdullahi the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary for holding forth on behalt of the Permanent Secretary
FMEA UNIQUE MINISTRY WITH EXISTENTIAL MANDATE
4 I am happy and excited to resume at the Federal Ministry of Education, one of the ministries with a nationwide mandate to Prescribe and maintain uniform education standards throughout the Country. At the heart of the work we do in this ministry must be the eight (8) priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration (2023-2027). The Ministerial Mandate, which the Honourable Ministers and the Permanent Secretary have committed to as key deliverables of the Ministry: the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25),
approved by the Federal Executive Council and the Public Service Rules (PSR). Extant Circulars, Rules, Regulations, Laws, and the core principles and values of the Federal Civil Service as epitomised in the FCSSIP25 being driven by our visionary and indefatigable Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan also serve as a guide in our work
5. In line with the Strategic Plan, we should aim to improve the quality of public service delivery, providing a more lasting trajectory for the country’s progressive development. The six priority areas of the Plan include the acceleration of capacity building and Talent Management. Institutionalization of the Performance Management System, Improvement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System Institutionalization of Innovation in the Public Service Digitalization, and Staff Welfare
6. The actualisation of the goals and aspirations of the Strategic Plan would change the narrative associated with the Public Sector as one dominated by poor performance, stagnation, and self-interest in contrast to the values of excellence and productivity.
7 Our ability to achieve these goals would take the Ministry back to the days when Nigerian Public Service workers offered robust contributions. pioneered, and implemented some of the strongest and community. driven Projects and Programmes in the history of our country and the development of significant sectors of the economy.
MODE OF OPERATION
8 We must acknowledge that all the work we do in this Ministry is first for Almighty God and second for the Federal Government and the good people of Nigeria, It follows, therefore, that any inefficiency incompetence, infraction, or dereliction of duty impacts the people directly and increases their suffering. Consequently, we must focus on using education to foster the development of all Nigerian Citizens to their full potential in promoting a strong, democratic, egalitarian, prosperous, indivisible, and indissoluble sovereign nation under God
9 Our most significant duty is to provide the expertise and administrative framework, act as the engine room, and do all within our competence to support the political leadership, the Honourable Minister of Education. Prof. Tahir Mamman, OON, SAN, the Honourable Minister of State, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and the Federal Government to achieve the Mandate of the Ministry for the people of Nigeria, as well as fulfil its international obligations. We must work hard in ways consistent with Ministerial and Government’s policy directives and handle practical issues and planning with diligence and commitment. Therefore, I implore everyone to work to uphold the wisdom, excelence and good reputation of the Public Service and promote the principles of good governance.
10. We must adhere to the principles of Truth, Honesty, Fairness and Justice in our operations. To this end as your Leader and the Chief Accounting Officer of the Ministry I pledge always to uphold the truth I shall be honest with you all the time. I shall always endeavour to do right to all men and women without fear or favour
11. In the same vein, I urge you to commit to doing the right thing all the time. Whenever you are in doubt about what to do or how to do it, check and seek guidance in the Public Service Rules (PSR) and extant Circulars and if you cannot find the answer, then do The Next Right Thing. Since justice and charity begin at home, I am willing and able to correct all anomalies to ensure we entrench diligence responsiveness efficiency commitment and dedication to duty in all our operations
12. While fulfilling our official responsibility, we must raise our Ministry to greatness in the Federal Civil Service and the Nation by using out knowledge, uriderstanding wisdom and experience to full our obligations and responsibilities. As Civil Servants, we can impact and transform the lives of the citizens with the immense power of public policy within our grasp. in service delivery in this Ministry, we must strive to be responsive and efficient, synonymous with excellent performance
REWARDS & RECOGNITION
13 To encourage excellence and meritocracy and ensure high levels of staff motivation, we would establish a robust performance-driven Rewards and Recognition System, even before it is implemented Service-wide as planned by the OHCSF. This would be our way of institutionalising the implementation of the relevant Public Service Rules on Rewards and Recognition for Outstanding Work and Meritorious Service (PSR060101- 060111) Let me use this inaugural meeting to assure you that I shall do everything within my power and authority to ensure a reward for outstanding performance
LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONS
14. As the pioneer Permanent Secretary in the re-established Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, I am conscious of the Federal Government’s concern about resolving most of the issues that cause conflict with workers. As a former Chairperson of the National Public Service Joint Negotiating Council for two years, I assure you that attention would be paid to those issues that usually lead to conflict between workers and management to nip them in the bud, so they do not escalate. As Federal Civil Servants, we have a right to a safe and conducive work environment, to conditions of service remuneration, compensation, welfare, and benefits that would motivate us to be productive. To this end, I commit to regular interaction with the union leaders representing the different worker groups and improving the communication line between the unions and management.
15. My message to the unions is loud and clear. We are members of the same executive arm team and play in the same league working to deliver service to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria That being the case, the “we” versus “them” era is over. Now is the time to unite to deliver quality service to the nation
CONCLUSION
16. In conclusion. I wish to thank all Directorate cadre staff and Staff of the FME for this heart-warming welcome. I appreciate that this is more than an official welcome: It is indeed a family welcome. I pray that every one of us would be blessed with physical strength, the proper disposition. courage, and a sense of compassion, empathy, fairness and justice for the people we serve to fulfil our duties perfectly and satisfactorily
17 For my family, colleagues, friends, and Directors of various Ministries who have accompanied me to this resumption ceremony. I thank you for your continued goodwill, prayers, support, and Counsel. I am grateful that you have always accorded me this honour
18. I know that I can continue to rely on you. God Almighty will continue providing you with all you need to succeed in your work and other endeavours.
19. For the Staff of the FME, I look forward to a cordial and fruitful working relationship with you. Welcome to a more excellent Service: welcome to a new vista. God bless you all
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, OON, mni. Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.
