Ogun HoS, govt functionaries, pensioners, others eulogise retiring Permanent Secretary
The Ogun State Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Chairman, State Civil Service Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, members of the State Body of Permanent Secretaries and several other top government officials have applauded the administrative and leadership qualities of the retired Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Mrs Irene Kokumo, describing her as a seasoned professional with laudable records in the local government service.
The officials who took their turn to pour tributes in torrents on the retiree during a get-together/pen-down ceremony held at the Bureau, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta to commemorate her retirement having attained the thirty-five statutory years of service, opined that her enviable successes remained an attestation that women folks are competent to perform excellently in exalted career positions.
Recounting their respective experiences, they further described Kokumo as an astute administrator and disciplined officer whose creative contributions and selfless service to the public service and humanity cannot be forgotten, adding that she got her footprints in almost all local government councils in the State where she had served as information officer, Director and Head of Local Government Administration respectively while rising through the rank to have emerged the First Female Permanent Secretary of the Bureau in December, 2016.
In their remarks, the Head of Local Government Administration, Ewekoro, Lekan Oderinde admonished other serving public officers to emulate the retiree by exhibiting improved commitment and dedication in the discharge of their respective duties, adding that such would enable the Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration deliver her lofty cardinal programmes to the people.
Describing her as an ambassador of due process, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Olatunji Ayuba pointed out that Kokumo remains a treasure to the State civil service, whose wealth of public sector experience, will greatly be missed.
“What stands out in her professional career is her managerial skill. She has compassion for people and her response to issues contributed to her numerous achievements during her career,” Ayuba affirmed.
Responding, Kokumo who was later conferred with a Chieftaincy title of Otun-Iyalode of Oke-Ona Egba by the Osile Oke Ona of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedapo Tejuoso attributed her successes and committed service to the love and support from the State Government and members of staff in the Bureau, submitting that there was need for government employees to be self-driven and self-motivated.
