Abiodun Awere's 30years Fruitful Service To Ogun Government Ends With Funfair, Accolade

 

Abiodun Adesupo Awere

ABEOKUTA - Work activities at the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy were on Thursday paralyzed with a send-off party for the outgone Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Abiodun Adesupo Awere.

Abiodun Awere, a dogged and workaholic civil servant who dedicated his life, time, and resources to the civil service of Ogun state threw in the towel to focus on his private life and family.

On Thursday, 28th October, 2021, the conference room of the Ministry of information and strategy was filled without space as junior and senior officers of the ministry gathered to honour their man, who retired as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

The colourful farewell party was laced with emotion and eulogies for the man, whom many described as a father figure to the junior workers of the ministry.

Abiodun Awere joined the Ogun State civil service in 1991 after completing his one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Immediately, he ventured into the public service as an Information Officer in the Ministry of information, where he served in different capacities and cadres until he reached the pinnacle of his career with his appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Civil Service in 2019 under Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration.

Within his short stint at the helms of the ministry, Awere's Midas touch was felt in the renovation and uplift of the studio, facelift of Ogun Update production room, empowerment of the monitoring unit to meet with current challenges of information management, procurement of furniture for the ministry, procurement of more public address system to further enhance projection in government public functions, and creation of ICT and New Media department to enhance the ministry's compliance with 21st century social and professional realities.

The commendation messages by the Directors, fellow Permanent Secretaries, political appointees, and junior staff of the ministry was indeed an attestation of Awere's human relations, good gesture, and commitment to work.

LR: Commissioner for Information, Waheed Odusile, HoS, Alhaja Ottun, Abiodun Awere and wife

Those who attended the farewell party attested to his versatility and dynamism in turning around an extremely complex situation with minimum resources to a result-oriented situation. Reason, he was given the toga, "Oo'lowo Awere ninu" meaning (Awere has hand in it).

Speaking highly of the outgone Permanent Secretary, the State Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun described Awere as a hardworking, dedicated, and sincere person to a fault.

The Head of Service noted that Awere's passion for the job would be greatly missed by the government, calling on other staff of the ministry to emulate his commitment to work.

"This celebration of your departure from the service shows you are a good man. Awere has a passion for the job. He is hardworking, committed, and sincere to a fault.

"I want to enjoin you all to learn from Awere. He always does it right and knows how to get it right. Ogun state civil service will miss you, but I know you have capable hands you left behind."

In his submission, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile described Awere as God-fearing and devoted Muslim who has passion for the job irrespective of what will cost him.

The Commissioner who recalled his first day in office, said Awere's presence in the ministry made his stay in office easier and fun-filled.

To Kehinde Onasanya, the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs and Administration, Awere is an embodiment of virtue, simplicity, and welfarist to the core.

Notable dignitaries who spoke highly of the outgone Permanent Secretary are; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Tunji kanimodun, Board Chairman, Ogun state Television, Chief Tunde Oladunjoye, General Manager, OGBC, Mrs. Toyin Sogbesan, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ministry of Information chapel, Wale Olanrewaju and the most Senior Director in the Ministry, Lanre Ogunyinka.

For Abiodun Awere, what seemingly looked unthinkable, has become unavoidable. His choice of voluntary retirement is basically his, but appears to serve the maxim, "you leave the stage, when the ovation is loudest."

This is why he was singled out for recognition and celebrations in a grand style. As he gracefully bows out of service after fruitful 30years of meritorious service to the Gateway state and humanity, Awere will surely miss the newsroom.

Awere, as you revel in the joy of the moment, remember, no work for you on Monday.