The immediate past Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, has opened up about the challenges she faced during her tenure.
Speaking at a dinner organized in her honour by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Yemi-Esan revealed that her greatest challenge was resistance from civil servants to new reforms.
She explained that convincing civil servants to accept better ways of doing things was a “mountainous challenge” due to their initial resistance to change.
Yemi-Esan noted that the resistance stemmed from their attachment to old ways of doing things.
“You know the initial reaction to anything new is resistance. To convince civil servants to accept our reforms was a big challenge,” she said.
When asked to advise her successor, Yemi-Esan emphasized the importance of partnerships, which she credited for her achievements during her tenure.
She specifically highlighted the significance of collaboration with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, which provided personnel expertise and funding.
Yemi-Esan also stressed the need for effective communication with stakeholders to ensure they buy into the vision and goals of the civil service reforms.
“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,” she said.
In her parting words to her successor, Yemi-Esan advised them to hold on to God and maintain forthrightness and transparency.
“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,” she said.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, praised Yemi-Esan for her commitment and leadership, and shared a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who commended Yemi-Esan for her dedication and efficient management during her tenure.
Obasanjo noted that retiring with dignity, free from scandal or controversy, is a commendable achievement.
“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,” he said.
