The immediate past Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan says her greatest challenge while in office was resistance of civil servants to new reforms.

The former HoS spoke last night at a dinner organized in her honour by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

She explained that civil servants showed serious resistance to new reforms introduced during her tenure, particularly the resistance to change old ways of doing things and that “Convincing them to accept better way of doing things was a mountainous challenge.”
“You know the initial reaction to anything new is resistance. To convince civil servants to accept our reforms was a big challenge.

When asked to advise her successor, Yemi- Esan harped on partnerships, which according to her was significant to her achievements during her tenure.

She also highlighted how collaboration was instrumental in facilitating digitalization efforts within the civil service, and called for understanding with civil servants and greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance civil service reforms.
“First of all, before we talk about legacies, I just want to acknowledge and thank God for the success. It is not what any human being could have done, so I acknowledge the help of God.

“The partnerships especially with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, helped a great deal. They provided both personnel expertise and funding.

“But we were able to convince them by communication. We had communication with different stakeholders to ensure that they bought into the vision and what we were trying to do.

“To my successor, the most important thing is to hold on to God. There will be challenges, but if you are forthright and if you don’t have hidden agendas, then God sees your heart and will help to make that dream a reality.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised the former HoS for her commitment and leadership.
He further shared a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who praised Yemi-Esan for her dedication and efficient management during her tenure.

She explained that civil servants showed serious resistance to new reforms introduced during her tenure, particularly the resistance to change old ways of doing things and that “Convincing them to accept better way of doing things was a mountainous challenge.”
“You know the initial reaction to anything new is resistance. To convince civil servants to accept our reforms was a big challenge.

When asked to advise her successor, Yemi- Esan harped on partnerships, which according to her was significant to her achievements during her tenure.

She also highlighted how collaboration was instrumental in facilitating digitalization efforts within the civil service, and called for understanding with civil servants and greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance civil service reforms.
“First of all, before we talk about legacies, I just want to acknowledge and thank God for the success. It is not what any human being could have done, so I acknowledge the help of God.

“The partnerships especially with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, helped a great deal. They provided both personnel expertise and funding.

“But we were able to convince them by communication. We had communication with different stakeholders to ensure that they bought into the vision and what we were trying to do.

“To my successor, the most important thing is to hold on to God. There will be challenges, but if you are forthright and if you don’t have hidden agendas, then God sees your heart and will help to make that dream a reality.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised the former HoS for her commitment and leadership.
He further shared a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who praised Yemi-Esan for her dedication and efficient management during her tenure.

“In this country, we can play two roles: one as active participants in our governance and the other in our personal journey.

“When one retires with dignity, free from scandal or controversy, it is a commendable achievement.”

VANGUARD