By Aaior K. Comfort
Folasade Yemi-Esan, the immediate past Head of Civil Service of the Federation, identified resistance to reform as her greatest challenge in office. Speaking at a dinner in her honor hosted by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Yemi-Esan noted the civil servants’ reluctance to embrace new initiatives.
“Convincing them to accept better methods was a monumental task,” she stated, emphasizing the inherent resistance to change. She acknowledged that the initial response to any reform often tends to be negative.
When asked for advice for her successor, Yemi-Esan highlighted the importance of partnerships, which she credited for her accomplishments during her tenure. She stressed that collaboration was vital in advancing digitalization within the civil service and called for better understanding and cooperation between public and private sectors to drive reforms.
“Before discussing legacies, I want to thank God for our successes. No human effort could have achieved this without divine support,” she remarked.
Yemi-Esan also emphasized the role of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation in her achievements, stating they provided essential expertise and funding. “Effective communication with various stakeholders was crucial to garnering support for our vision,” she added.
In her advice to the next Head of Service, she urged a reliance on God amidst challenges and emphasized transparency. “If you are forthright and have no hidden agendas, God sees your heart and will help realize your dreams.”
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, praised Yemi-Esan for her leadership and commitment. He also conveyed a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, commending her for her dedication and effective management.
“In Nigeria, we can either actively participate in governance or focus on our personal journeys. Retiring with dignity, free from scandal, is a remarkable achievement,” Aig-Imoukhuede concluded.