The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan, has urged recently appointed Permanent Secretaries to set aside personal aspirations and focus on aligning with the priorities of the current Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Emphasizing the need for their decisions to be considerate of public sentiment, she delivered this message during the opening of a two-day Retreat on December 20, 2023, in Abuja.
Yemi-Esan instructed the newly appointed officials to take responsibility for the reform programs initiated by the OHCSF and actively champion the Renewed Hope Agenda. She stressed the importance of effective collaboration to enhance the Service’s standing and demonstrate to the political class that tangible results can be achieved.
Furthermore, she advised them not to let down the political leadership that granted them the opportunity and the Service itself. Encouraging harmonious and ethical relationships with Ministers and other stakeholders, Yemi-Esan reminded them of their duty to promptly address identified obstacles without resorting to unnecessary excuses.
In emphasizing their transformative role, she urged them to distinguish themselves from being merely transactional Permanent Secretaries and instead become transformational figures. Yemi-Esan emphasized the necessity of overcoming obstacles to fulfill their duties.
Dr. (Engr.) Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office at OHCSF, welcomed the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and reiterated that the retreat aimed to familiarize them with Presidential Mandates, clarify their duties, and enhance their performance. The retreat featured lectures, case studies, and interactive sessions with experienced Permanent Secretaries serving as resource persons, providing ample opportunities for comments, questions, and knowledge sharing.