On Thursday, September the 19th, 2024 ANA NEC, represented by the President and the General Secretary, paid a courtesy visit to the recently appointed Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, MON in her office at the Federal Secretariat Phase II by Eagle Square, Abuja.
The encounter was quite formal, with all the full protocol observed. A senior officer from the Information Unit of her office introduced her to the visitors, directed that the first stanza of the National Anthem be sung, before inviting ANA President to address the HOCSF. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) were conspicuously present for their respective official news coverage.
In his opening address, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi congratulated the HoS on her well-deserved appointment, tracing her career path through the Ministries of Power and of Education where she had served as Permanent Secretary prior to her recent elevation. He prayed that her tenure would be impactful.
On the purpose of the visit, the ANA President recalled Mrs Walson-Jack's pedigree as the daughter of a staunch ANA ancestor, her late father, at whose funeral ANA was an active participant. He informed her of the upcoming Convention at which another ancestor from her geopolitical zone and one-time ANA President, late Ken Saro Wiwa, would be immortalised with the inauguration of an International Writers' Residency in his name. Dr Akanbi referred her to the letter of invitation to the occasion sent earlier to her by email, saying that her esteemed presence at the 43rd Convention holding at the state-of-the-art Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village, Mpape-Abuja would be highly appreciated by the ANA.
In her response, the HOCSF, excitedly remembered her late father's active involvement with ANA, informing us that her dad's creative passion led her to join the Association too, adding that even her own daughter is also into creative writing. She congratulated Dr Akanbi on his emergence as the current ANA President, lauding the NEC's decision to honour Ken Saro-Wiwa at the 2024 Convention. She pledged her support and promised to attend.
To conclude the visit, Dr Akanbi signed the HOCSF's Visitors' Book, at the same time inviting the General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, Ph.D to present Madam with copies of ANA Review. Both the President and the General Secretary thereafter presented her with a Plaque on behalf of our Association. Photographs with her and her principal officers wrapped up the warm reception.
*Dame Joan Oji, Ph.D*
Reporting from Abuja
20-09-24
