The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has tasked the media to hold public institutions accountable in the interest of citizens by asking difficult questions, interrogating policies and decisions, and not only relying on reporting official activities and statements.
Walson-Jack advised during an interactive session with the media in Abuja, Nigeria, where she also commended journalists for their role in communicating and deepening the transformation of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service, especially the activities of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
“The media through its reports, features, interviews and analyses, has helped Nigerians to understand and appreciate the reforms, innovations and programmes being implemented across the Federal Civil Service.
“I commend journalists particularly for their fair, balanced and objective coverage of the activities and reform initiatives of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF),” she noted.
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Walson-Jack, who will be retiring in a few weeks, said the media provided an important link between the Civil Service and the citizens it was established to serve throughout her two-year tenure.
“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.
She, however, said the media’s responsibility extended beyond merely reporting events or reproducing official statements, as some of their interrogation of policies and decisions had helped improve operations.
“Journalists must seek clarification, interrogate policies and decisions and hold public institutions accountable in the interest of the citizens.
“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.
Walson-Jack explained that strong institutions are not built through praise alone but strengthened by constructive criticism, informed scrutiny and continuous engagement.
She enjoined the media to continue to report the achievements of the Service truthfully, interrogate its challenges fairly and help Nigerians understand the importance of a professional, efficient, productive, ethical, incorruptible and citizen-centred public service.
