The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has charged the media to go beyond reporting official activities and statements by asking difficult questions, interrogating issues and holding public institutions accountable.
Walson-Jack gave the charge on Thursday at an interactive session with the media in Abuja, where she also commended journalists for their role in communicating and deepening the transformation of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service.
She said the media had, through its reports, features, interviews and analyses, helped Nigerians to understand and appreciate the reforms, innovations and programmes being implemented across the Federal Civil Service.
Walson-Jack who would be retiring from the Federal Civil Service next week, particularly commended journalists for what she described as 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) throughout her two-year tenure, adding that the media had provided an important link between the Civil Service and the citizens it was established to serve.
“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.
Walson-Jack, however, said the media’s responsibility extended beyond merely reporting events or reproducing official statements.
According to her, journalists must seek clarification, interrogate policies and decisions and hold public institutions accountable in the interest of the citizens.
She acknowledged that some questions posed by journalists had at times been difficult, but noted that such scrutiny had helped the OHCSF to reflect, communicate more clearly and improve its operations.
“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 stressed that constructive criticism and informed scrutiny were essential to building strong public institutions.
“Strong institutions are not built through praise alone. They are strengthened by constructive criticism, informed scrutiny and continuous engagement,” she said.
She urged journalists to sustain responsible, factual, balanced and constructive journalism as the Federal Civil Service continued its reform and transformation journey.
The HOCSF called on the media 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.
She said the Civil Service reform process was still unfolding, with more milestones, challenges and lessons ahead, adding that the media remained an important partner in telling the story of the transformation.
“As I approach the end of my tenure, I look back on this relationship with great appreciation. I am confident that the partnership between the OHCSF and the media will endure and grow even stronger under my successors,” she said.
Walson-Jack urged journalists to continue holding the Federal Civil Service to the highest standards while also giving fair coverage to its achievements.
“Please keep asking the important questions. Keep telling the full story. Keep holding the Federal Civil Service to the highest standards. And, every now and then, remember to tell Nigerians that the Civil Service is also making progress!” she said.
She expressed appreciation to members of the media for their professionalism, partnership and commitment to reporting the activities and transformation of the Federal Civil Service.