Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade has eulogised the
recently retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olugbenga Odesanmi for his exemplary leadership and immense contributions to the Ministry and the State Civil Service.
Mr Boluwade gave the commendation in Ado-Ekiti during the “pen down ceremony” held in honour of the retired Permanent Secretary who bowed out of service after attaining the mandatory age of 60 years.
Speaking through the the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Anthony Alofe , the Commissioner appreciated the retired Permanent Secretary for exhibiting great level of professionalism, dedication, integrity and intelligence, particularly as the Accounting Officer of the Ministry, noting that those virtues are worthy of emulation.
Boluwade charged other members of staff of the ministry to take a cue from the exceptional conduct of the retired Permanent Secretary saying the Ministry would miss his immense contributions to the several achievements recorded by the Ministry over the past two years .
He expressed joy that Odesanmi was bowing out of Service with pomp and pageantry after a distinguished career.
Other members of staff took turns to eulogise Odesanmi and wished him good health and sound mind in retirement.
At the reception organized for the retired Permanent Secretary ,the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti,Oba Steve Alabi felicitated with the retired Permanent Secretary for his outstanding achievements while in Service, noting that he has been a good ambassador of Osi town all through his years in the Civil Service.
Oba Alabi counselled other Osi indigenes in the Service of Ekiti State and all other Civil Servants to emulate Odesanmi in order to have a virile and unrivaled Civil Service in Ekiti State.
Other stakeholders at the reception programme including the immediate past Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Bode Adetoyi, former Permanent Secretaries, Agric. Investors, friends and family members commended the retiring Permanent Secretary for delivering a robust service to the State and leaving his own impacts on the sands of time.
They prayed God to give him good health and long life to enjoy his retirement.
Farewell songs, cultural display, cutting of cake and presentation of gifts added colours to the ceremony.
Engr Odesanmi in his response appreciated God for enabling him to end his career and attain the 60th retirement age in good health and joyous mood.
He expressed his gratitude to those who joined him in the celebration and promised to continue to be a good ambassador of the Civil Service in retirement.
In another development, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Anthony Alofe has charged management and staff of the Ministry to reciprocate the good gestures of the Oyebanji led administration to the Ministry by being proactive and dedicated to their duties.
Mr. Alofe made the charge while meeting with the Management team shortly after he was appointed the Acting Permanent Secretary.
He noted that the State Government has invested a lot in the Agric sector and all hands must be on deck to ensure food security in line with the plans of the State Government.
The Acting PS congratulated the retired Permanent Secretary, Secretary, Engr Odesanmi and promised to build on his achievements in office to move the Ministry forward.