The Great Club of Oke-Ogun, Saki, honoured four esteemed members who recently retired from active government service at a special reception celebrating their years of dedication, commitment, and contributions to public service.
The event brought together community leaders, government officials, colleagues, friends, family members and well-wishers to celebrate the retirees, recognise their professional achievements and encourage them as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
The honourees were Hon. Rahman Oyedokun Tiamiyu, Vice Chairman, Saki West Local Government, and Head of Education Unit; ESV Ganiyu Tunji Razaq (RSV, ANIVS), retired Head of Lands, Estates and Valuation Unit; Mr Saidu Balogun, retired Acting Establishment Officer; and Mr Yekeen Adeniyi Shittu, retired Acting Deputy Director, Agricultural Department.
Among the dignitaries present were Chief Adebayo Abdlateef, the Agoro Bakoja of Saki; Hassan Rogbajale; Mrs Amuda M.A.; Mrs Jimoh Jamiu; Alhaji Nasir Abidiesin; Alhaji Semiu Alaka; Mr A.B. Adetoro; Barrister Afolabi Kunle, Legal Adviser of the club; Mrs Kunle Afolabi; Alhaji S.A. Ahmed; and Comrade Ajuwon Ibraheem Ayinde, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Saki West Local Government Branch, among other distinguished guests.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Great Club of Oke-Ogun, Alhaji Comrade Aderogba Daud Olugbade, welcomed all guests and dignitaries, particularly the Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Raheem Oyedemi Muslim; the Chairperson of the Day, Mrs Abigeal Oluyemisi Fehintola; the four retirees; and other attendees.
Olugbade thanked everyone who honoured the invitation and helped make the occasion memorable. He also prayed for God’s continued guidance, protection and blessings upon all those present, particularly the retirees as they embarked on a new phase of life.
He gave special recognition to Alhaji Muslim, describing him as a benefactor of the retirees and several other club members who secured employment in the local government service through his administration.
Speaking as Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Raheem Oyedemi Muslim congratulated the retirees on completing their years of service and expressed gratitude to God for preserving their lives to witness and celebrate the milestone.
He observed that many people had served the government but were no longer alive to enjoy the benefits of retirement, making the occasion an opportunity for gratitude, reflection and celebration.
Muslim noted that retirement marked the end of the daily routine of rushing to work in the morning and returning home in the evening. He described it as an opportunity for retirees to enjoy greater freedom, devote more time to their personal lives and embrace a new phase of life.
He encouraged the retirees, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to strengthen their relationship with God and remain committed to prayer after leaving active service. He emphasised that retirement should not mark the end of their spiritual commitment, noting that workers often prayed for protection against dismissal while still in service.
The Chairman of the Occasion further advised the retirees to take proper care of their health, maintain good personal hygiene, dress well and remain socially active. He encouraged them to visit relatives, sustain existing friendships and build meaningful relationships.
He cautioned them against withdrawing from social activities or isolating themselves from others, stressing the importance of maintaining long-standing friendships with people whose characters and attitudes they already understood.
Muslim also urged the retirees to engage in regular physical exercise and attend routine medical check-ups to maintain good health and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Day, Mrs Abigeal Oluyemisi Fehintola, Director of Community Health Officer and Coordinator of Technical Primary Health Care, Saki West Local Government, appreciated the club for organising the reception and congratulated the retirees.
She advised them to prioritise their health and seek appropriate medical attention whenever they experienced health challenges.
A major highlight of the event was a lecture delivered by Comrade Azeez Saminu Adetunji on the topic, “From File and Office to Stool and Isolation: The Social Death of the Nigerian Retiree.”
The lecture examined the challenges retirees may encounter when transitioning from active employment to retirement, particularly the social changes that can arise from leaving familiar workplaces, professional responsibilities and established daily routines.
It highlighted the importance of preparing for retirement beyond financial considerations, with emphasis on social relationships, emotional well-being, personal identity and continued participation in community life.
The lecture further stressed the need for retirees to remain connected to their families, friends and society rather than allowing retirement to become a period of loneliness and social isolation. It also underscored the importance of developing meaningful activities and maintaining a sense of purpose after leaving active service.
In his remarks, High Chief Amos Temilola Olaoye, the Bakoja of Saki, offered prayers for the retirees and commended the Great Club of Oke-Ogun for its laudable programmes and contributions to the community.
He also praised the club for organising the reception to recognise its members’ years of dedication and service.
Similarly, Alhaji Rafiu Tunji Adekunle, Chairman of the Oyo State Pension Board, appreciated God for preserving the lives of the retirees and congratulated them on reaching the milestone.
Adekunle gave an assurance that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, would pay all outstanding gratuities before the end of the administration.
His assurance addressed an important concern for retired public servants, for whom the payment of gratuities represents a significant part of the benefits due to them after years of service. The statement offered reassurance to the gathering regarding the state government’s commitment to settling outstanding gratuity obligations within the stated period.
The Chairman of the Oyo State Pension Board’s pledge was particularly significant at a reception organised to celebrate retirees and acknowledge the challenges associated with life after active service. It brought the issue of retirement benefits into focus alongside discussions on health, social relationships, financial considerations and the need for adequate preparation for retirement.
The club’s Adviser and Vice-President, Barrister Kunle Afolabi, also commented on the club and the retirees, while Alhaji Kazali Jimoh Adewale spoke about the retired members and called for unity in Saki.
The presence of distinguished personalities, community leaders, colleagues, friends and associates added significance to the occasion and reflected the importance of recognising individuals who had dedicated years of their lives to public service.
In their separate responses, the four retirees expressed appreciation to the Great Club of Oke-Ogun and all those who attended the reception in their honour. They particularly thanked their benefactor, Alhaji Raheem Oyedemi Muslim, for employing them into the local government service and contributing to their professional journeys.
The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the four honourees, appreciate their contributions to public service and offer them encouragement as they transitioned into retirement.
The recognition also served as a reminder of the value of dedication, discipline and commitment in public service and the importance of appreciating people for their contributions to society.
The reception ended on a note of celebration and goodwill, with prayers and congratulations extended to the retirees as they embarked on a new chapter of their lives.
The event underscored that retirement is not the end of meaningful living or service to society, but an opportunity to explore new interests, strengthen relationships, share accumulated experience and enjoy the rewards of years of dedicated service.
