By Nudoiba Ojen
It was praise and commendation galore for Mr Gabriel Adekunle in Ado Ekiti as he bowed out of the Ekiti State civil service and celebrated by friends, family, well-wishers and staff of the state Teaching Service Commission Loans Board after the 35 years of meritorious service.
Mr Gabriel Adekunle, who was born on 19th April, 1964 at Omuo Ekiti, joined the service of the defunct Ondo State Government House and Protocol on 1st February, 1989 as Steward II, rose through the ranks to become the Secretary of Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission Loans Board, a position he held till his retirement.
The testimonies of the people present and gifts showered on the celebrant showed Adekunle as a man of the people, well loved, admired and who would be missed in the service.
Speaking at the Send Forth Programme organised for Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mr Michael Omolayo, described the celebrant as “a man of the people, considering the array of people from within and outside, who have come to grace the occasion”.
Omolayo said, “Mr Adekunle is an amiable officer, a champion of prayer, a good adviser, an embodiment of humility worthy of emulation”.
The PS, who lauded the retiring officer for “his dexterity and efficiency at work”, called on other workers to emulate his exemplary leadership in the discharge of their duties.
He urged workers “to be more careful, upright and honest in the discharge of their duties, to build good interpersonal relationships among themselves and always do good as well as helping one another to attain greater heights”.
In his sermon at the event, a minister of God, Pastor Pius Ojo, who took his text from Genesis 28;20 likened the celebrant to Jacob in the Bible as a lean beginner with hard work and trust in the Lord became wealthy.
The minister admonished Mr Adekunle to endear himself with God in praise and thanksgiving, adding that the celebrant has a lot of reasons to appreciate the goodness of God in him.
Responding, Adekunle lauded the state government for giving him the enablement to serve meritoriously for 35 years, stressing that his success was due to the grace of God and his numerous past experiences in the course of his public service journey.
He appreciated the initiative of the organization by celebrating retirees in grand styles.
While appreciating members of staff of the commission for their love and support to him, Mr Adekunle encouraged them to exhibit good attitudes to work and discharge their duties effectively.
