OGUN DEPUTY GOVERNOR, SSG, OTHERS CELEBRATE RETIRED PS AIKULOLA

 

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and other top dignitaries in the State have celebrated the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment , Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola on the occasion of his statutory retirement from the State Civil Service and 60th birthday.

Engr.  Salako-Oyedele in her address during the Retirement/Pen Down and 60th birthday Ceremony organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in honour of Dr. Aikulola in Abeokuta described the retired Permanent Secretary as a diligent and intelligent civil servant who was impactful in his career and should be emulated.

She congratulated Dr. Aikulola  for reaching a milestone of 60 years and statutory retirement  praying that his retirement would be a more glorious chapter of his life.

In his address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi said Dr. Aikulola was one of the very few Permanent Secretaries who left a significant impression on the State Government at the inception of the present administration which inspired his posting to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in December 2019.

Talabi lauded Dr Aikulola for serving diligently and being a positive reference for civil servants in the State.

Speaking, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela who described the celebrant as a trusted and dependable civil servant and an example for workers to be the best in whatever they do.

“ I have mixed feelings today. His birthday is today and he is also leaving the civil service. I wonder who would succeed him. For me I really  enjoyed the last two years working  with him. I have been in the private sector and public service in the last 36 years and I can say without fear of contradiction that Aikulola is the best I have worked with and unarguably the best number two you can have. He is reliable and dependable,” 

“He rallies the troops to make sure the government agenda that we are pursuing is achieved satisfactorily.

Every good thing we have achieved in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in the last two years and probably in the life of this administration also has his impact,” the Commissioner said.

Drawing  his short exhortation from Colossians 1:3-5, the Parish Priest, Our Lady  Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Oyebola admonished workers to serve diligently and be distinguished so that people could give positive reports about them.

In his response, the celebrant, Dr. Aikulola appreciated God for his grace upon his life adding that God’s grace had helped him to make the impact people have identified in the course of his career.

While charging workers to remain committed  and diligent, Dr. Aikulola also commended the Commissioner, government functionaries and workers for their support.

A major highlight of the celebration was the cutting of the retirement and 60th birthday cake.

Earlier, in recognition  of his outstanding service, a special pens down programme was held in celebration of the retired Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment amid fun fare among members of staff and different personalities who have been positively impacted by the seasoned administrator.