Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for greater emphasis on integrity and merit in the appointment of people to leadership positions, saying no nation can make meaningful progress when competence is sacrificed for relationships.
Jonathan spoke on Tuesday at an event held to celebrate the retirement of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and the presentation of books chronicling her experiences and career.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Walson-Jack to head the Federal Civil Service, describing her emergence as the first Bayelsan to occupy the position as a significant achievement.
Jonathan said the appointment was particularly commendable because the position was not subject to rotation but required merit.
“That appointment makes her the first Bayelsan to hold that office. I don’t know when we’ll get the next one that will be there, because you have only one Head of Civil Service of the Federation at a time.
