It was fun, outpour of praises and encomium as Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EKSPHCDA), health education and promotion unit celebrated some retirees who have served the agency meritoriously as they bowed out of Ekiti State Civil service.
Speaking at the event which was held yesterday, 10th, December in Ado Ekiti in honour of four senior citizens who retired four years ago, the State Health Educator, Dr Olajumoke Oguntoye who represented the Chairman, Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ogunbunmi Olufunke said the occasion was designed to honour the outstanding performances of the retirees while in office and also to mark the end of the year with staff of the unit for the wonderful works they have been doing in the past one year.
The four retired officers who were honoured We’re, Mr Suberu Tony, Mrs Ajayi Anike, Mr Ajayi Gbenga and Mr Babatude Joseph.
Delivering the Chairman,s message, Dr Olajumoke Oguntoye said as the senior citizens are going to another realm of life, they should not limit themselves indoor but continue to exercise themselves and also continue with the services to humanity in their communities and environments, noting that, once you are an health educator, you are an health educator for ever.
Speaking further, the State Health Educator said, it has been God that stood by the retired officers and the unit during their tenure at the agency in Ekiti State and that is while the unit today, remembered them for their various land mark achievements and deem it fit and necessary to see their faces and also, rejoice with them for being alive.
“These our senior citizens have dedicated their lives to this profession. Even when the money they were receiving then was pea nut, they did not look at the money but the achievements, the focus to achieve the objective to go to all the communities to create the awareness of every programme committed to their hands was paramount to them.
“These your tremendous achievements have called for this celebration today. We cannot appreciate you enough for all your selfless services and all that you have put to humanity but God Almighty that you are all serving will reward you.” She said.
The State Health Educator, Dr Oguntoye however commended all the committee members for working and reasoning together to honour these senior officers. She further stressed that, the agency leverage on the program to create awareness on Measles Rebella Vaccine Introduction campaign, targeting age: 9 months to 14 years and the vaccination is billed to commence in January.
The Director of Administration and supply, Mr Olajide S. T who represented the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Adepoju Rasheed, in his goodwill message enjoined the retired officers not to panic because he believes, God has a good plan for them. He said further that they are being celebrated because of all they have achieved with the agency.
According to the Director of Administration, “people don’t celebrate people who don’t achieve anything, we celebrate success and I never see anybody that invite people to roll out drums to celebrate failure. It is because you are successful in all ramifications that is why we are celebrating you today.
“I want to advise you to still keep up the values you exhibited in the service at everywhere you find yourselves.”
Olajide noted further that some see retirement as something that should not have come, the reason being that most people are afraid of what tomorrow holds. He enjoined them not to let the fear of tomorrow overcome them because whether they like it or not, retirement will definitely come one day.
Speaking further, the administrator said, “a philosopher once said, it is not the length of years that matter but the quality of input you put into the years. So, we are celebrating you today not because of the numbers of years you have used, but when we look at your achievements during the duration of your being here, people celebrate you base on that.”
Olajide enjoined those in service to emulate and follow the footsteps of the retiring officers and also, look forward to the day, they too will be celebrated like this.
One of the retirees and immediate past State Health Educator of the agency, Mrs Ajayi Anike in her response to the honour bestowed on them by the agency said, first and foremost she appreciated God for her life and that of others who are alive to witness this special celebration in their honour.
She advised those in service who are still working as health educators to take the job very serious and support the state health educator. She noted further that in the job, there are some ethical principles that they need to have and which is vital to their success. These according to her include, ability to be tolerant, honest and uphold their integrity.
In her words, “these three principles are what is helping me at the moment. I retired in 2022 and I don’t even know that I can work with the white people, I don’t know that I can collect dollars as salary and I don’t know that in three months, I can receive more than my gratuity which is 9 million naira. I have been working with them for the past two years, that is why you need to have integrity and be tolerant in whatever you are doing.”
Mrs Ajayi advised the serving Health Educators to study more in other to enhance their performances while thanking everybody for their support and cooperation most importantly, for this great and special honour bestowed on them.
While speaking on behalf of all the retirees, Mr Ajayi Emmanuel said life as a retiree is a different thing entirely because, is peaceful, full of relaxation and gives more room to serve God to any level. Mr Ajayi noted that they are highly delighted for the recognition given to them even though it caught them unaware.
“This gesture is a very good thing and a show of appreciation for the years we have committed to the development and successful build up of he unit. My advise to those in service is to strive hard and uphold their integrity, be tolerant and honest and also, be dedicated to their job because by doing all these, sky is definitely the limit.” He concluded.
Important dignitaries present at the occasion include, comrade Olatunbosun, the State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Ogundola Omolabake, comrade Alabi, Mrs Olowa and Director of drugs and equipment in the agency. Others include, comrade Ogundola Alice, Chairman, Ekiti State Chapter NAHE, health educators and assistant health educators in all the 16 local government areas.
