Wale JAGUN
It was encomium , commendation and thanksgiving galore as Olori Ruth Adebola Adelabu, the outgone Assistant Head Teacher of Oga Primary School, Ikorodu, officially retired from the teaching service of the Lagos State Government after 35 years of meritorious and dedicated service to the government and humanity.
At the Pen’s Down ceremony, which held at the Oga Primary School premises on Friday, November 23, 2018, were head teachers, staff members of the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), teachers, retirees, family members and friends of the celebrant.
Olori Adelabu, who was fulfilled and happy on the occasion of his retirement, danced joyfully round the premises of Oga, Ayangbure and Methodist Primary Schools with the staff members, students, friends and family members to appreciate God for His protection and successful retirement after 35 years of service which saw her being transferred to various schools as classrooms teacher and later as Assistant Head Teacher.
Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa, the Head Teacher, Oga Primary Primary, Chairman, Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Ikorodu branch and Vice Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lagos State Chapter, commended Mrs Adelabu for her commitment and dedication to duty.
He stated that he would have missed her more if he is going to stay longer in service.
“My coming here today is simply to honour Olori Adelabu because I have been disposed for some days and I had to ask someone to come and pick me at home so that I could attend this ceremony.
“I am here to honour Mama Adelabu because she has conscientiously served the government and humanity in general.
“She, without pride of age, served under me as her head. She is always ready to do her job with diligence, commitment and dedication. She is a mother figure to many and very exemplary woman.
“I had a good time with her as partners. I did not for one day regret entrusting so many responsibilities in her care.
“Why I’m not going to miss her much is the fact that I am also retiring in December. If not, I don’t know what I would have done because of her commitment.
“I will always remember that I had worked with somebody older than me but who accorded me honour and respect without question. Since you are a good woman, I am not surprised that you have a good man as your husband who once assisted me while he was in service and till today, I have not forgotten what he did because the person I first sought his help sent me away. I am also not surprised that you have good children because I know some of your children and there is no doubt that you’ll retire into a good home” , Asiwaju Oduguwa stated.
Mr Osuolale, a school head teacher who had worked with the retiree at Farm Settlement Primary School, Odgunyan and Oga Primary School, also commended Mama Adelabu whom she described as a loving good woman, teacher and mother.
Other head teachers and teachers at the event took their turn to speak glowingly about the retiree.
Mrs Agbaje and the anchor of the ceremony, Mr Abisoye , threw the entire gathering into laughter when they mimicked Mama Adelabu’s acts while in service.
Olumide Adelabu, speaking on behalf of the retiree’s children, described her as a good mother and disciplined teacher whose impacts are always felt by her immediate family , larger family, places of her work and in the Church.
Revd. Ayansiji S.A, the Pastor in-charge of the First Baptist Church, Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu, in his retirement sermon, stated that people always celebrated those who have completed a task and not those that abandoned work given to them midway.
He, therefore, enjoined the retiree to always celebrate and rejoice for she has completed her task with commitment and dedication as attested to by many.
Revd Ayansiji quoted Philippians 4:4, Philippians 2: 8, Ephesian 2:9 and Philippians 1:6 to illustrate his points during the brief sermon.
The celebrant, Olori Adelabu, in her remarks, traced her sojourn at the Teachers College in Igbogbo and her job postings to Anglican Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Farm Settlement Primary School and Oga Primary School among other schools she was posted to during her 35 years of service.
She described her teaching and administrative experiences as awesome and engaging and thanked all the head teachers and staff members she had worked with.
She specifically mentioned two of her bosses, Mr Olalere Olukoga and Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa whom she described as boss of bosses and the entire staff members of Oga and Farm Settlement Primary Schools whom she described as dedicated staff members and families.
While also quoting Philippians 4:4 from the Holy Bible, Mrs Adelabu stated that she is rejoicing and thanking God because many of those she attended Teachers College with are no more while she is retiring alive and happily after 35 years of meritorious service.
A special retirement thanksgiving service was held at The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Aga, Ikorodu on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
The grand celebration of the retirement is fixed for December 18, 2018, at the Ikorodu Teachers Secretariat located within the premises of Oga/Ayangbure/Methodist Primary Schools, Ikorodu.
