The Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Imo State, Chief Vitus Ekeocha, has bowed out of service after 33 years of meritorious service in the organisation.
Ekeocha was sent off with a colourful party organised in his honour in Owerri weekend.
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Prof. Tony Nwajiuba, described Ekeocha as a technocrat, and a team leader who could fit into any worthy position in the nation.
He said as a square peg in a square hole, Ekeocha carried out his duties as NOA state director with the utmost sense of diligence, dedication, dignity and integrity and remained a tested and trusted hand worthy of emulation.
Nwajiuba congratulated Ekeocha and urged him to remain true to his good nature in his other areas of endeavour.
Also speaking, Dr Chuks Osuji, a pioneer State Director NOA, commended Ekeocha for retiring honourably and described him as an obedient and humble person who was ever willing and easy to work with.
He urged the staff to be firm, strong and continue in the good footprints of Ekeocha.
Comrade Uchechi Osuagwu, Chairman National Orientation Agency Welfare Association (NOASWA), which organised the send-off party, commended Ekeocha for serving meritoriously for 33 years and for leaving an indelible footprint on the sand of NOA.
She said the office was able to achieve a lot during the tenure of the outgoing state director especially not owing any of the staff their entitlements and prayed God to help him achieve his desires as he stepped out into senior citizenship.
Mr Ben Mbakwem, UNICEF Field Officer, on behalf of UNICEF Field Office Enugu, congratulated Ekeocha for bowing out of office honourably having partnered with the office since 2012.
He described Ekeocha as humility personified, attributing the successes recorded by UNICEF in its programmes in Imo, especially the curbing of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to efforts of Ekeocha and wished him well in his future carrier.
In their goodwill messages, the friends and well-wishers of Ekeocha congratulated him on the successful completion of his civil service career describing him as an exceptional figure, media-friendly, humble and hardworking.
They also said he is a rare gem, one in a million man, a loving, caring, kind person, a perfect and distinguished gentleman and wished him long life, a sound mind and prosperity.
Msgnr Innocent Osuagwu, of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic, a friend of the agency, thanked God for seeing the former NOA Director through his working days and made him retire strong, healthy and prepared for the future assignments.
Mrs Maureen Oparaji, Deputy Director Programmes, NOA, Imo, on behalf of NOA described Ekeocha as a good man, a peacemaker and a lover of people who worked amicably with all members of staff and wished him better days and higher heights.
Mrs Ijeoma Udensi from the Nigeria Council of Women Society (NCWS) said, “Ekeocha is a total package of desirable humanity.”
Mr Anthony Ozor from the media extraction said the outgoing NOA boss, “is a model of diligence, an exceptional figure who is focused, media-friendly, a very humble and forthright individual. He was a meritorious service to both God and man.”
Responding, Ekeocha gave a historical background of his journey to NOA from the defunct Mass Mobilization and Social Agency (MAMSER) now NOA and thanked God for keeping him alive to witness his retirement and in good health.
He thanked all that worked with him and made his service memorable both in house and outside staff and enjoined them to support his successor Mr Nazzy Njoku to enable him to succeed.
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