MIXED EMOTIONS AS SOUTH WEST AREA OFFICIALS BOW OUT OF SERVICE

The NYSC South West Area Office, heads of collaborating agencies, and esteemed well-wishers have showered accolades as the trio of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, Mr. John Enegwea and Alhaja Aisha Hadiza Bello,  gracefully retired from active service.

This took place on Tuesday at the grand retirement event hosted by the South West Area Office at SOB Events Centre, Osogbo, and which had in attendance an impressive number of dignitaries and notable personalities. 

The Ag. Director, South West Area Office, Mr. Kehinde Aremu-Cole, in his opening remarks as the chairman of the occasion, thanked the audience for turning up in their numbers to participate in the retirement celebration event hosted by the SWAO.

He cleared the air as to status and responsibilities of the NYSC Area Offices, insisting that they are not secretariats.

"The South West Area Office, like all other NYSC Area Offices, are entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing policy formulation and execution for the 6 State secretariats under its jurisdiction" he said.

He further described the erstwhile Director of the SWAO, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, as a mother figure and unifying factor at the Area Office and the NYSC at large. 

According to him, "the testament of her good work and that she is loved by everyone, can be easily deciphered with the retirement reception party that was previously organised for her at Abuja by the authorities of the scheme's national headquarter, which was no mean feat".

He testified to the good work done by the other retirees, describing the trio as wonderful teachers and seniors worth emulating by all.

Mr Aremu-Cole prayed that they all find favour and bountiful rest as they retire and urged everyone to network as they enjoy their stay at the programme.

The Representative of the Osun State Coordinator, Mrs. Mary Adebesin, in her goodwill message commended Mrs. Aisha Hadiza Bello for her calmness in whatever tough situation she finds herself, as displayed in a number of engagements they'd both been involved in. She wished the trio God's presence in all their subsequent endeavours. 

The Representative of the NYSC Oyo State Coordinator, Mr. Ibiyemi Adekunle, in his goodwill message described Mrs. Akin-Moses as the most-kind boss he's worked with and prays she finds peace in retirement. He also beseeched the Almighty to grant each of the retirees success in their future endeavours.

Also, the representative of the Ondo State Coordinator, Mr Bankole Simeon extended the good wishes of the people of the State to the Director and other celebrants. He extolled the good virtues of Mrs Akin-Moses and the motherly role she played during her sojourn in the scheme as State Coordinator and also as Director SWAO. He wished the trio all the best as they bow out of service. 

Mrs. Joke Oyenuga, representing NYSC Ogun State, thanked God for the grace granted to the retirees to finish well. She appreciated the spouses of the retired officers for their support and sacrifices, urging the retirees to start compensating the former heavily for all the years' toil. 

The Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Lawal Azeez Olayemi feted Mrs Akin-Moses for her impact and achievements during her tenure. He lauded her for open-door and all inclusive administrative style. He ended by wishing the trio a happy and prosperous post service years. 

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode, on his part, celebrated the retirees for successfully bowing out of active service in top ranks and sound health, which occasioned his physical presence at the event.

He encouraged the retirees to not see their retirement as the end of everything but rather a new beginning, emphasising that there's still a lot to learn and do at this new stage they've attained. He enjoined them to be joyful and not sad, while praying they experience better days ahead.

The representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osun Sector Commander, Mrs. Akanni, felicitated with the trio for retiring out of active service to the admiration of all. She wished them lovely rest in their retirement and beseeched them to stay within reach so serving officers can tap from their wealth of experience.

The goodwill messages was promptly followed by gift presentations to the retirees by  NYSC staffs, collaborating agencies, and other well-wishers.

In their response, Mr. John Enegwea and Alhaja Aisha Hadiza Bello expressed their appreciation to the Almighty God for seeing them through their service, despite the numerous ups and downs. While establishing that they would choose the NYSC over and over again, the retired Deputy Directors of the Scheme respectively expressed their sadness for leaving the active front of the NYSC family and urged those in active service to keep the flag flying.

Mrs. Akin-Moses on her part thanked her spouse, rtd Col. (Dr) Akin-Moses for all his support through the years. She acknowledged that she was privileged to work with NYSC's best brains at the South West Area Office and sent her appreciation to the State Coordinators in the South-West Area for making her job easier.

The retired Director celebrated her fellow retirees for a job well done and congratulated them for becoming senior citizens of the country.

Other personalities in attendance include:  Representative of the Commander ECC Nigeria Army Ede, Lt. Col. IO  Erhabor, Capt. O Oyekanmi, representative of the Commandant, NSCDC Osun State Command, AC S. O. Aderibigbe; and representative of the REC, INEC Osun State, Mr. Balogun Ayoola

The event ended on a jolly-good note as group pictures were taken and souvenirs shared to all.