By Mumini AbdulKareem
It was an avenue of tributes and praises on Saturday in Ilorin, Kwara
State as friends, relatives, colleagues and well-wishers among others
converged on the compound of late Seriki N Driver of Ilorin, late
Alhaji Soliu Olarongbe to celebrate Alhaji Olaitan Mohammed Jamiu
Balogun following his retirement from Service as the Director Personal
Management, Ilorin West Local Government.
Balogun spent 30 years in service.
According to the immediate past Chairman of the Civil Service
Commission, Hajia Sarat Adebayo, the event was a testimony of passion,
goodwill and zeal, adding that the retiree as a gentleman and an
administrator per excellence who used his wealth of experience and
selfless service to positively impact the civil service and those that
he had contact with.
“I approved his retirement when I was in office and he had the
experience and passion having served as DPM in various local
governments in the state. He is a religious person who believes so
much in Allah and gave a sense of belonging to all his subordinates
across all cadres in the service. The honour done him today by the
community attests to the fact he’s a community man and was a
grassrooter who was an added value to management in Kwara State”.
Also, his friend and former university colleague, Hon Fatai Bakini who
described him as a selfless individual who prefer to solve other
people’s problem while leaving his own.
“I thank God to have seen him through active service. During our
university days in ABU, he had the habit which he still keeps till
today where he will come down to Ilorin during school and help collect
foodstuff, money and other materials for us. He was such a selfless
person.
In his sermon, an Ilorin based Islamic preacher, Alfa Olayinka
Gbamuragaji, enjoined Public office holders in the country to embrace
good virtues and cultivate large heart of forgiveness in the discharge
of their duties.
Alfa Gbamuragaji, stressed the need for civil servants to be committed
to their duties through the virtues of selflessness and dedication at
all times in order for them to be remembered after their active years.
The Islamic preacher, described Balogun, as an epitome of good
character that everyone must emulate.
In his reaction, the celebrant, Retired Director Personal Management,
Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji Olaitan Mohammed Jamiu Balogun,
expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting him the privilege
to serve the state and humanity in general.
He described his service years as fruitful and successful and
encouraged those in positions of authority to see public office as a
call to serve humanity wholeheartedly.
Also, his wife, Hajia Aisha noted that the celebrant was a complete
family man who fulfilled his fatherly role to the family and relatives
with utmost sincerity, adding that the gathering was a testimony of
the good works of her husband throughout his years of service.
Family, friends colleagues and well wishers who spoke on the sideline
of the prayer, described him as a core civil servant who has
contributed immensely to the development state.
Dignitaries and top government functionaries present at the prayer
included the Permanent Secretary Establishment and Training, Mallam
Tajudeen Yunus, and Mogaji Are of Ilorin, Aremu Zubair among others.
