The banquet hall of Fresh Hotel in Ilorin, Kwara State witnessed array of personalities yesterday as the Kwara State Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Muazu Omar was given a befitting sent forth party.
Omar, the first female Head of Service in the state assumed office May 29, 2015.
The valedictory ceremony, organised by the Forum of Permanent Secretaries in the state took place on the eve of her last day in office.
The colourful event had in the roll call top politicians, commissioners, permanent secretaries, media gurus, civil servants, family, friends and associates among others.
The ceremony was emotion -laden as speaker after speaker recollected the good moment they shared with the HoS and showered her with glowing tributes.
It was a night of accolades and harvest of speeches as she was extolled for her professionalism, diligence, intellect and humaneness.
In his tribute, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, while congratulating Omar for a successful stay in office, said she would be missed.
He described her as a woman of extreme virtue who has excelled as a professional, commending her humble virtue.
The SSG, who was chairman of the occasion, affirmed that he had an excellent working relationship with the HoS, describing her as selfless and diligent.
The state Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale, described her as a quintessential professional, a consummate civil servant and as inspiration to other women.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Elder Ayobola Samuel and his General Services counterpart, Alh. Rafiu Ayinla, stressed on her commitment to staff welfare and career growth.
They stated that the HoS is a disciplinarian, who instilled discipline in the civil service and waded the stick without minding whose ox is gored.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot Newspaper, Alhaji Billiameen Adedamola, said the outgoing HoS has given the female gender excellent representation.
He described her as a woman of substance who has left indelible marks thus leaving the Kwara Civil Service better than she met it.
“She is a woman who is passionate about her job. She will be leaving indelible marks in the system. She is leaving Kwara Civil Service better than she met it and a big shoe for whoever will come after her,” he said.
Adedamola noted that Omar is a courageous woman, known for her frankness, which according to him helped in effective discharge of her administrative role.
He noted that going by her sterling potentials, she could be considered as governor of the state come 2019, if the pendulum swings in favour of the female gender.
Many of others who spoke commented on her outstanding virtues such as simplicity, integrity and love for the people working with her.
In her response, the celebrant, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to contribute her quota to the development of the state.
Omar, who said she never dreamt of attaining such height in her career, thanked the civil servants in the state for the support which culminated in the achievements recorded.
The HoS, while appreciating the media for support in projecting activities of the civil service, commended National Pilot for professionalism.
“I want to particularly thank National Pilot for the support given to my office. I want to thank the newspaper for identifying the potentials in me as reflected in the last story,”X-ray of 2019 Kwarans guber aspirants.
“Since the story was published people have stopped addressing me as Head of Service, I am now being addressed as Her Excellency (laughter). I want to commend the newspaper for its professionalism.
The celebrant also acknowledged the understanding and support of her husband, who is the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, children and relatives, adding that they made sacrifices for her to achieve success in office.
Others who were in attendance included the Commissioner for Tertiary, Science and Technology, Dr. Amina Ahmed; Special Adviser to the state governor on Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Muritala Sheu; The General Manager, Radio Kwara, Alhaji Adebowale Adedeji, the General Manager, The Herald Newspaper, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Adebayo among others.
