Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
The award – winning Tutor – General/ Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Mrs Anike Adekanye, has stated that she started her administration very well and is also ending it on a very high note.
Adekanye who was full of praises to God with respect to how far God has taken her, commended the Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, the Commissioner for Basic Education, the staff and students in her district for her excellent performances. She made the remarks at the retirement testimonial match organised in her honour at the Keme Balogun Secondary School ultra – modern pitch on Thursday.
The celebratory match that was attended by schools’ principals and teachers across the district which had the presence of students of Keme Balogun Secondary School, was the beginning of a series of activities lined – up for the TG/PS retirement and the first match played on the pitch since its commissioning by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu.
The District II teams that played for the outgoing administrator played 0 -0 draw.
Speaking at the testimonial match, the outgoing public servant remarked:
“I just want to thank God, from the beginning of my life, the day I was born as a female child, till this moment I return all the glory to my creator.
“This a kick -start for a serious and wonderful celebration for my exit from public services of Lagos State, as a Tutor -General and Permanent Secretary, Education District II.
“Permit me to appreciate Mr Project, Mr talk and do, your governor, my governor, our governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, may the King of kings bless him, with his family, the deputy governor’s family and the honourable Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jamiu Ali-balogun and all other stakeholders.
“Today, I want to sincerely show appreciation to all officers working in Education District II, especially from the District II headquarters, under the leadership of Director of Administration and Human Resource, Mr Olumide Awolesi, Thank you sir, and my able, capable, wonderful school administrators; the engine rooms that are hardworking, eloquent, responsible, and proactive. They have been there for me, children and others working under you.
“When people hear about District II, they will say Anike Adekanye, but these are the Anikes. I say thank you for organising this wonderful competition which is a starting point of a series of activities you line up for me,” she said appreciatively.
Mrs Adekanye who said that she started her career on Level A3 and reached the pinnacle of her career, also lauded the special impacts of her husband and children for their love and understanding. She also commended the royal fathers across the district and mentioned some journalists and media including THE IMPACT’s Reporter – in ,- Chief, Kunle Adelabu, ffor the support for her administration.
While acknowledging the enormous challenges and victories, the outgoing TG/PS, emphasized that she started her administration well and is ending it strongly.
“I started well, and I am ending very strong, just by the power of God, But it wasn’t that easy because different kind of things happened but I was not discouraged. When God wants you to excel, all your enemies will become your friends. This is just by His grace.
“I stepped on toes, that I know, in the course of the job, but the legacy I want to leave behind is legacy of handwork; that handwork pays, legacy of fear of God, and legacy of collaboration, you should be able to collaborate with one another,” she charged.
Mrs Adekanye further stressed, “I am leaving Education District II better than I met it and with all sense of humility. I want to appeal to all of you all, let us keep the flag flying,
“When I hear about District II, it will be of great news and joy. Don’t forget the best teacher in Nigeria is Education District II, the best school administrator from Education District II, the best junior secondary school also from Education District II, and the best senior secondary school from Education District II.
“When it comes to one day governor back -to- back this is the only district that God had blessed us with and not only that. When it comes to competitions in agriculture, robotic physics, chemistry and other areas, my students, and the principals are the best. They are doing healthy rivalry amongst themselves and challenging Mrs Buhari (Principal, Eva Molaja Secondary School) in Shomolu. I enjoy that, please keep it up.”
Mrs Anike who did not forget to also mention and thank elected representatives in her district specially singled out Rep. Babajimi Benson for his support: “My wonderful brother who has been a very great supporter of my mission and my vision, Hon. Jimi Benson, sincere greetings to him. He is a son of the soil who has been number one person supporting my vison in this region.”
Mr Ademola Awolesi, Director of Administration and Human Resource, Education District II and Chairman planning committee for the retirement programme of Mrs Anike Adekaneye described the novelty match as an interesting and deserving one for the outgoing TG/PS who is a mother of all.
He revealed that a special get – together and valedictory service will hold on Monday at Maryland among other activities.
The Director of Administration describing Mrs Adekanye’s administration said the outgoing TG/PS is an exceptional and super administrator who did not only perform excellently in her district but also in other district that she supervised.
Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu Branch and one of the newest Directors of Education, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, speaking about the administrator said:
“The retirement ceremony is to celebrate our amiable person, someone who is very enterprising, loaded and someone that God gave us in Education District II. This is someone we see as a magician when it comes to administration. This is somebody who has turned around the fortune of Education District II bringing in new ideas.
“The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs Anike Adekaneye is a one programme per month administrator. She does not like idleness, and she is someone that is always willing to do something that is new for teachers of Education District II and you can see for yourself that she has turned around things in the district and we will miss her greatly.
“This is an administration that has lived above board; an administration that is all – encompassing, and one that encourages teachers to become whatever they desire to be. This is an administration that is goal driven. From the first day she came on board she already had her goals and what she wanted to achieve, and I want to tell you that she achieved all and even more than she set out to do.”
Mrs Odumbo Monsurat Olabisi (Bismond), General Secretary, Lagos State Chemistry Teachers Association of Nigeria and an officer of Education District II, also speaking at the testimonial match, said Mrs Anike Adekanye is an energetic and result oriented TG/PS.
“If you work with her, you will know she is a goal -getter. What she wants from you is a positive result, and when you give her that she will appreciate you.
“Her administration has always been about give me result, project Lagos State government, project Education District II, project the teachers, project the students, and ensure that all the principals working under her know that what she wants is results; positive results.”
