It was an emotional moment as the Ministry of Information and Communications held a memorable sent-forth ceremony in honour of Mr. Ebenezer Adrodija, the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, immediate past Director Information Services, Mr Sunday Adeniyi and an Administrative Staff, Mallam Sheidu Idris.
The event which took place on Tuesday at NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja to celebrate his meritorious service, dedication, and impactful contributions to the state civil service, also to launch a book titled, “The Adurodija’s Collection.”
In his speech, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, and Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to celebrate a diligent, committed, vibrant, competent, reliable, and trustworthy public servant as he was bowing out of active service with pride and prestige, describing him a lesson in leadership.
In his words, “Mr Ebenezer is a good man. He is very dynamic, pragmatic, forward looking, forward-thinking. A very brilliant man. I have worked with many Permanent Secretaries, if i’m to choose the best, I would choose from the ones before him, because he is more than being the best.” Fanwo stated.
“For me, it is about mixed feelings. It is an emotional day for me. I want to celebrate a man who sees me as a younger brother. He guided me, supported me, defended me, and above all, very frank with me. Mr Ebenezer is brutally truthful. When it gets to something that can affect you, he doesn’t care about how you feel about it. He would tell you the truth. Only someone who loves and cares deeply does such a thing. In all our years of working together, it would surprise you that we didn’t have a single disagreement and we didn’t stop at people who work officially together. We became a family. In him, I find a brother, a confidant, and a family forever. ” Hon. Fanwo highlighted.
Speaking further, he lauded Mr Adurodija’s versatility and knowledge on technology which is top-notch, adding that he has been working tirelessly to ensure that Kogi makes a name as he has been in charge of the state website. The Hon Commissioner stressed that the state website had given the state government over 10 billion naira.
He also commended Mr. Sunday Adeniyi and Mallam Sheidu Idris for their diligence, commitment, and hard work during their service years, praying for them to enjoy their retirement in good health.
He enjoined others in the civil service to be diligent, committed, truthful, selfless, and hardworking in discharging their official duties, noting that every action taken by a civil servant leaves a lasting legacy. He stated that Mr Ebenezer’s service to the state is second to none, as his loyalty had not been in doubt, urging others to emulate him.
The Hon. Commissioner announced Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija as a Technical Assistant to the Ministry of Information and Communications as a result of his hard work, diligence, commitment, and competence, urging people to keep doing good. He directed the Ministry’s Director Administration to stand in until the Ministry has a substantive Permanent Secretary, encouraging the entire Ministry to cooperate with him.
In his welcome address, Mr Adurodija expressed gratitude to God almighty, the giver of life and every other good things, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for the opportunity given to him to serve in the capacity of Permanent Secretary, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo for the leverage given to him to exploit, the management and entire staff of the Ministry of Information and communications for the privilege of working harmoniously for the development and success of Kogi State.
He emphasized that the greatest calling of any individual is a call to serve humanity with compassion, sacrifice, and determination to make life better for others.
In his words, “position comes and go, but the impact of service endures is not installed but in the heart of people. We live in a world full of challenges, poverty, injustice, inequality, and conflict, but I believe we also live in the world full of possibilities. Every act of kindness, every decision to uplift the weak, every effort to build bridges rather than worse, draw us closer to a more just and compassionate society.”
He reiterated that greatness is not found in power, wealth or recognition but rather the courage to give oneself for the good of others, saying to serve humanity is to serve God and in serving God we find the greatest meaning of life. He encouraged everyone to continue to embrace service as a way of life.
The outgoing Permanent Secretary presented a four volume book of works titled, “Adurodija’s Collection,” noting that the work was not just a compilation of ideas, but a task of reflection, experience and inquiries into the human condition across different areas and diverse perspectives.
The book titled “Adurodija’s Collection” was reviewed by Dr. Sam Metiboba and Dr. Temitope Joe, professionals and members of the Association of Nigerian Authors who spoke extensively on the book and recommended it for educational and non-educational purposes.
The event ended with applause, tributes, and warm wishes for Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, Mr. Sunday Adeniyi and Mallam Sheidu Idris. As a mark of appreciation for outstanding service, the ministry, departments, colleagues, and well-wishers presented them with gifts as tokens of honour, which were presented to them by the Hon. Commissioner.
AdegboyegaSegun,
InformationOfficer,
Ministry of Information and Communications.