David Williams
Colleagues, associates and guests, including a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, have commended three retiring directors in the state’s Ministry of Information for their dedication to duty and contribution to public service.
They spoke at a valedictory editorial meeting organized by the Ministry in Ado-Ekiti in honour of the retiring Directors: Mr Charles Ademolaju, Mr Adekunle Adeniyi and Mrs Taiwo Aina.
Olatunbosun thanked God for the retirees’ lives and for their work in disseminating information on government programmes and projects.
He praised their integrity, truthfulness, professionalism, diligence, humility and commitment to the public interest while in service.
Olatunbosun also lauded their dedication and comradship and wished them good health, longevity and peace in retirement.
The Ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Sola Fadiran, commended the retirees for their leadership, commitment to duty and contribution to the ministry’s growth.
Fadiran said the officers had played significant roles in translating government policies into public enlightenment programmes and in mentoring younger information officers.
Their contributions, she added, had strengthened the ministry’s operations and laid a solid foundation for its continued effectiveness.
On behalf of the management and staff, Fadiran congratulated them on the milestone and wished them good health, peace and fulfilment in retirement.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mrs Ojelabi-Pedro, commended the retiring directors for their immense contributions to the state public service.
In his remarks, the Director of Information Services, Mr Tope Babalola, praised the retirees for their professionalism, integrity and dedication to service.
He described their retirement as the culmination of careers marked by sacrifice and commitment, and urged younger officers to emulate their diligence, mentorship and selfless service.
Serving directors who were employed alongside the retirees in 1999, including Mrs Omolara Alokan, Mrs Kemi Ayokunle and Mr Segun Olatoye, thanked God for the retirees’ contribution to the development of the state’s public service and for their achievements despite the ups and downs of the service.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Chapel, Mr Wale Obelewaji, described the retirees as dedicated public enlightenment practitioners and pillars of the civil service.
Obelewaji said their nearly 35 years of service had spanned military rule and democratic governance, adding that their contribution to public information and to the union would remain indelible.
He described them as celebrated heroes who had completed their careers with honour, rather than exhausted civil servants.
Other information officers, colleagues, guests and well-wishers also commended the retirees and wished them a fulfilling retirement.
Responding, the retiring Directors thanked God for enabling them to complete their years of service without blemish.
The retiring Directors are Mrs Taiwo Aina, Director of Publications in the Ministry of Information; Mr Charles Ademolaju, Director of Press at the State Teaching Service Commission; and Mr Adekunle Adeniyi, Director of Press at the Ministry of Works.
They also expressed appreciation to the ministry’s management, staff and colleagues for organising a befitting send-off in their honour.
