FOAOOS celebrates outstanding public officers

It was a celebration of excellence and one with a difference in Ibadan on Thursday when the Forum of Administrative Officers of Oyo State (FOAOOS) held a three in one event at the Le Chateau Events Center in honour of both serving and retired administrative officers in the public service of Oyo state.

The event which is premised on a tripod; New Year get together, awards to serving administrative officers in the Oyo state civil service and celebration of retired administrative officers was a joyful event and a reunion for members and retired members of the association.

The event was a case of many are called but few are chosen as few identified administrative officers that distinguished themselves in the course of their duties were given awards of excellence.

The award of excellence was in two parts, Exemplary Service Award and the Distinguished Fellow awards in addition to gifts to retirees. Those that got the Exemplary Service Award include Mr P.O. Olalekan, Mrs Bola Ayeni, Mr Quadri Ibrahim Adeniyi, Mr Olayanju, Mr M.O Oseni, Mr Olajire, Mr Tijani Adelani, Mr A.O Adebiyi, Mr N.A Bello and Dr S.A. Olatundun.

Those that were awarded the Distinguished Fellow Award are Mrs Adejoke Eyitayo, Dr Bashiru Olanrewaju, Alhaja Ololade Agboola, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan and Mr Paul Bankole while Mrs Olubunmi Oni, the Chairman of FOAOOS was awarded both the Exemplary Service and Distinguished Fellow Award.

Retirees that were honoured are Mr S.G. Oyewo, Mr H.A.Raji, Mr N.O.Wahab, Mr Kayode Adisa, Mr P.O. Ogunola, Alh Y.B. Bello, Mr D.O. Oyewole, Mr A.E. Olanrewaju, Evangelist Bisi Olaniawo, Mr M.B. Busari and Mr Soji Eniade.

The chairman of the forum, Mrs Bunmi Oni, in her welcome address stated that the event was the association’s way of ushering in the New Year in its own unique way in order to sustain and build on the success of the last year.

“This is our unique way of ushering in the New Year to sustain and build on the success of the last year. Also, this is to encourage and ensure that administrators put in more effort and remain focused in the discharge of their duties,” she said.

While outlining the functions and qualities of administrative officers, she charged them to remain steadfast and dedicated in their duties despite the prevailing economic challenges in the state and country at large, reiterating that the success of any administration depends on the quality of administrative officers in the service.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion who is the immediate past chairman of the forum, Mr Wole Oladokun, also charged the administrators to remain focused and put in their best at all times in spite of the problems and economic challenges plaguing the country at present as they are the ones that run the government.

In his goodwill address, the chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Mr Joseph Oladele stated that the job of an administrator is a noble one as they are the heartbeat of any government, adding that the job shouldn’t be about money because administrators do not have money.

He further advised them to do their best and continue to work at all times.

The outgoing Head of Service, Mr William Soji Eniade in his speech urged administrative officers to embrace professionalism and equip themselves for the job, charging them to be honest and hardworking to ensure they remain relevant in their line of duty.

“An administrative officer must know everything and be able and willing to do the job,” he said, encouraging them to invest in their children because the success of any man or woman is the quality of the children produced.

He finally thanked them for the support he enjoyed during his tenure and expressed the hope that they will give the same support to whoever emerges as Head of Service after him.

In her vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs Modupe Adesina appreciated everyone that graced the event for their time and expressed the hope that the event will encourage and motivate administrators in the Oyo state Civil Service to give their all and do their best at all times in the discharge of their duties.

The event which was well attended by retired and serving civil servants of different grade levels and discipline reinforced the importance of hard work, commitment, team work and good human relationship among public officers.