By Titilayo Kupoliyi
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
And for four staff of the Administration Department of FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station it is time to rest after years of active service.
The retirement party, organised for Mrs Funmilayo Akinwunmi, Mrs Mercy Adebiyi, Mrs Ebunola Daniels and Mrs Mary Ogunleye was held at Studio One, Broadcasting House, Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan.
In an address of welcome, Assistant Director, Administration, Mrs Oluyemi Dada said, the event was put together to appreciate the retiring staff.
In a remark, Zonal Director, Radio Nigeria Ibadan, Mr Olufemi Fulani appreciated the celebrants and their families for their tenacity while in service.
“Working in a media organisation as a secretary for 35yrs is not a child’s play, most importantly I appreciate your family members for their support during your service years, I congratulate you all”.
Going down memory lane, the Acting Zonal Director, noted he worked closely with three of the celebrants, who he described as hardworking and diligent.
Mr Fulani enjoined the celebrants to uphold the principle of confidentiality that secretaries were known for, as they bow out of service.
Some colleagues of the retired officers at the programme including Mrs Eunice Atere of the Administration department, poured encomiums on all the celebrants.
She says “Mrs Funmilayo Akinwunmi is a mother, always willing to help, all the celebrants are role models to all other secretaries in the corporation”.
In their separate remarks, Mrs Funmilayo Akinwunmi who appreciated God for making her witness the event, noted that there, were dark days in the early years of her profession but God saw her through. Mrs Akinwunmi maintained that she couldn’t perform her motherly role effectively but with the help of her husband, she scaled through.
“There were times I get home very late at night, my husband would have made noodles for my children and they go to bed before getting home”. “I remembered a particular situation that I was denied promotion, I felt said because I felt I didn’t deserve it as a hardworking staff”.
For Mrs Mary Ogunleye, it was a celebration of life as she recounted how she came face to face with death during her years in service.
“I was sick for years, got to the point of death, that I am here today is a testimony of God’s blessing and I do not take it for granted” said Mrs Ogunleye.
Mrs Ebunoluwa Daniels and Mrs Mercy Adebiyi, were full of gratitude to God and described the event as a landmark in their lives.
“Words can’t express the way I am feeling, it is a thing of joy, my heart is full of gratitude to God said Mrs Daniels”.
Mrs Adebiyi says it was not an easy ride as the job could be overwhelming,” there were times I felt like leaving the job but thankfully, God was there for me”.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, Mrs Funmilayo Akinwunmi appreciated the Admin department for putting the programme together, while encouraging those in service to keep the flag flying.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of gifts to the retirees and group photographs.
In attendance were family members of the celebrants, well- wishers, committee of management, members of the Admin department as well as members from other departments in the corporation.
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