WALSON-JACK COMMENDS MEDIA FOR FAIR COVERAGE, CALLS FOR SUSTAINED PARTNERSHIP WITH OHCSF AS TENURE WINDS DOWN
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has commended the media for fair and objective coverage of civil service reforms and called for sustained partnership with the OHCSF as her tenure approaches its end.
Mrs. Walson-Jack stated this on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during a Special Interactive Session with Editors and Media Correspondents in Abuja.
She stated that the session gave her a valuable opportunity to sincerely thank the media for their support, professionalism and partnership throughout the past two years of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The HCSF noted that media coverage of engagements including the Meet and Greet with the Media, World Press Conferences on the International Civil Service Conference in 2025 and 2026, the Press Conference on the Paperless Civil Service, and the Press Briefing on her First 100 Days in Office, helped Nigerians to see, understand and appreciate the transformation taking place across the Federal Civil Service.
“Through your reports, features, interviews and analyses, you have carried the Civil Service reform story beyond the walls of the OHCSF. You have followed our journey closely and reported our achievements, innovations and, of course, our challenges. In doing so, you have provided an important bridge between the Service and the citizens we are privileged to serve,” she said.
Mrs. Walson-Jack noted that the responsibility of the media goes beyond reporting events.
“You must ask difficult questions, seek clarification, interrogate issues and hold public institutions accountable. Indeed, some of your questions have occasionally been more difficult than the reforms themselves! But those questions have also helped us to reflect, communicate more clearly and improve our work,” she said.
She added that strong institutions are not built through praise alone, but are strengthened by constructive criticism, informed scrutiny and continuous engagement.
The HCSF urged the media to sustain the tradition of responsible, factual, balanced and constructive journalism as the Federal Civil Service continues its journey of reform, renewal and transformation.
“Report our achievements truthfully, interrogate our challenges fairly and continue to help Nigerians understand the vital role of a professional, efficient, productive, ethical, incorruptible and citizen-centred Public Service,” she said.
Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted that the Civil Service reform story is still unfolding and the media remains an important part of that story.
“As I approach the end of my tenure, I look back on this relationship with great appreciation. I am confident that the partnership between the OHCSF and the media will endure and grow even stronger under my successors. The relationship we have built is founded on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to serving the Nigerian people,” she said.
The HCSF charged the media to “keep asking the important questions. Keep telling the full story. Keep holding the Federal Civil Service to the highest standards. And, every now and then, remember to tell Nigerians that the Civil Service is also making progress!”
She thanked Transformative Permanent Secretaries, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Civil Service Matters, Seasoned Editors, Directors of News, and members of the OHCSF Correspondents’ Chapel for their partnership and professionalism.
