By John Odunayo
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Ekiti State, Hon. Folorunso Olabode, was indeed pleasantly surprised as the staff of his ministry treated him to a birthday bash.
The roll call of guests that were part of the gathering to celebrate the commissioner’s birthday on August 12 also spoke volumes of the arrangement made by the staff to make it indeed a surprising event in honour of their boss.
The dignitaries included State House of Assembly member (Ilejemeje Constituency), Hon. Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemen; the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ekiti Chapter, Hon. Oluwasegun Ojo; and the Special Adviser on State Capital Development Authority, Hon Tade Aluko.
Also in attendance were Local Government Executive Secretaries, Mr Taiwo Adeojo and Mr Bola Babalola and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Mr Babatunde Olaoye; as well as directors and staff of the ministry.
The commissioner, Olabode, in his address, lauded the staff for the surprise package and well the guests for being part of the august event.
He advised staff of the ministry to endeavor to positively affect humanity wherever they find themselves, stressing that one would always be remembered by what he has done.
The celebrant, who gave glory to God for adding another year to his age, said that his upbringing had really shaped his life’s journey which is “being guided and fulfilled”.
He described himself as an introvert being a child of a cleric and always guided by the word of God, adding that God created individuals for a purpose, especially to assist one another in any way.
Olabode said that like Governor Biodun Oyebanji, his mind is always on making things better for greater achievements as he promised not to relent in his service to humanity especially in his passion for the grassroot development.
Speaking earlier, the lawmaker, Fakunle-Okhiemen, described Olabode as someone having a kindred spirit as they hailed from the same town, referring to him as a community man per excellence.
She commended the commissioner’s role as “a big brother with a shoulder to lean on, an encourager, role model to the younger ones, supportive and a good coordinator who does not despise anyone”.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr Olaoye, who also commended the celebrant for being a good boss and a blessing to the entire ministry, said the celebration was in line with the Biblical exhortation, “Teach us to number our days” and prayed God to satisfy the commissioner with long life and goodness.
The State ALGON Chairman, Hon Ojo, described the commissioner as an embodiment of simplicity and humility and a brilliant, legal icon with his catalytic ways of presenting issues and solution to crossroad.
Ojo, who said that “it is by God’s special grace that one can grow old in this wicked world”, lauded Olabode for his commitment and dedication to grassroot development.
The Special Adviser, Hon Aluko, and the Executive Secretaries, Mr Adeojo and Mr Babalola, in their comments, described the celebrant as a man of the people as they prayed for divine upliftment for him to showcase more of his good tidings.
Highpoints of the event included cutting of the cake, presentation of gifts and rendition of celebration songs.
