Ogun PDP deputy guber candidate honours retired traffic warden, Anifat Bello

The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has honoured retired Deputy Superintendent of Traffic (DST), Anifat Bello, popularly known as Aunty Anifat, for her professionalism, discipline, resilience and dedication to traffic management during her years of service with the Ogun State Police Command.

Sowunmi-Kolapo gave the commendation at a reception held in Bello’s honour in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate said the recognition was a modest appreciation of Bello’s years of dedicated service, urging security personnel and workers in other sectors to emulate her commitment and professionalism.

Presenting Bello with a cheque of N500,000, Sowunmi-Kolapo described the retired traffic officer as a role model for younger Nigerians and said the gesture was a token of appreciation for her dedication to duty.

“You are a role model for younger Nigerians. I want to commend you for your professionalism. Gold or silver, I do not have. But please accept this as a token of appreciation for your infectious commitment to duty. It is the beginning of greater things to come for you,” she said.

She assured workers in Ogun State of rewarding welfare packages once the government of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate, comes on board next year, declaring that “hard work will pay.”

 “I want to assure our people in Ogun State that hard work will pay and our civil servants will always smile at home. When we come on board, the suffering they have put us through in Ogun for the past eight years will be a thing of the past,” she promised.

Other dignitaries at the reception ceremony, including the wife of the Ogun governorship candidate, Yeye Adenike Adebutu; Ogun PDP Chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella; leaders of the party at various levels, and religious leaders in Egbaland, among others, paid glowing tributes in appreciation of Mrs Bello’s diligent service.

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Adebutu’s wife, while showering more encomiums on the retired officer, announced another N500,000 cash support for her, saying she would be part of the Adebutu administration once he is voted into power in 2027.

“I want to congratulate you. I see you all the time while performing your traffic duty, ever smiling. One day, I was passing, and I asked myself, how does this woman manage to smile always? You will be part of Adebutu’s government. 

“I want to thank our deputy governor (Sowunmi-Kolapo) for putting this reception ceremony together. Many people know you, and they see what you do. God will continue to honour you. I thank you for your selfless service to Ogun,” Mrs Adebutu said.

Also speaking, Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, said Mrs Bello’s selflessness and passion for other people were commendable and should be emulated by all. 

“Mama Bello has proven to all of us that there is nothing you do that won’t be appreciated. You are now in the news positively because of your good work,” he stated, thanking Sowunmi-Kolapo for celebrating the retired officer.

“I want to thank our deputy governor (Kolapo) because this is extraordinary. Because of who you are, you have decided to honour this woman. God’s blessings will never cease in your home,” Tella prayed.

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For the Ogun PDP Secretary, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo, Bello’s cheerful disposition and diligence distinguished her throughout her years of service, particularly her refusal to accept bribes, which he said was an example other public servants should emulate.

“What is very unique about her is that she is always happy, saluting and greeting people; not frowning or transferring aggression to road users. Madam, you are very fantastic. Madam Anifat won’t take bribes from anyone. People like you are very rare.”

Bello and her family members who graced the occasion could not hide their joy as they appreciated Sowunmi-Kolapo’s thoughtfulness and generosity. 

They equally commended Mrs Adenike Adebutu for her kind gesture and thanked others for celebrating and supporting hard work, dedication and service.

While praising the retired officer’s life of passionate service, her younger brother, Nunasu Jacob, said, “Aunty Anifat is accommodating and caring. She is generous to a fault, very nice and jovial.”

In her vote of thanks on behalf of the family, Dorcas Olusegun, one of Mrs Bello’s daughters, commended Hajia Sowunmi-Kolapo for organising the reception ceremony, thanking her and others who supported and honoured her mother. 

Turning to Adebutu’s running mate, she said, “We really thank you, ma, for giving us a wonderful occasion to celebrate our mother. Your thoughtfulness and generosity made this possible. Your gesture means so much to our family, and it will be indelible.”

Apparently overjoyed, Mrs Bello danced in appreciation for the honour and support accorded her by the PDP leaders in Ogun State. 

“I am really happy, and I want to thank our mummy, Hajia Sowunmi-Kolapo, Mrs Adebutu and others who have celebrated me. I ask God to bless them and grant them their good hearts’ desires,” she prayed.

Mrs Bello seized the opportunity to advocate for diligence among all categories of workers, saying, “Everyone should do their job well. Our youths, especially, must know that hard work pays.”

Recall that a video clip had shown Mrs Bello on her last day in uniform being celebrated by Abeokuta residents. 

Members of the public who attested to her discipline, humility, and no-bribes principle refused to let her go quietly, showering her with cash gifts.