VP bows out amid fanfare

By Joseph Eshanokpe

After 35 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omotayo Odeyemi finally bid the service farewell.

Odeyemi, who joined the service on January 7, 1985, got to the peak of her career as a Director/Vice Principal on Grade Level 17. Her last duty post was Isheri Osun Community Junior Secondary School in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Her last working day, which was Tuesday, January 7, saw her colleagues, pupils and friends hold a pen down/send off in her honour at the school’s premises.

Turn by turn, they poured encomiums on her.

The school’s Principal Adedapo Fagbure praised the retiree’s sense of reasoning, maturity, dedication and loyalty.

Also, the school’s Head of the Department of English Helen Adebigbe said of Odeyemi: ‘’She is a substance, a director, a counsellor, and role model.’’

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“Working with her was a great pleasure. I rejoice with her today for a glorious and successful exit from the service,” Fagbure added.

In her tribute, the school’s Vice Principal (Academics) Mrs Omolara Taiwo, described the celebrator as a bundle of humility, a good leader and a rare gem. “We will miss your motivating jingles, your teasing push for work with the right attitude,” she said.

Odeyemi’s better half Mr Joshua, also a retired school  director, thanked her for standing by him through thick and thin.

The chairman of the day, Mrs Modupe Ogunbayo, described 35 years as a milestone, adding that it was, therefore, worth celebrating. She advised teachers as moulders of minds to take their work serious.

Highlight of the occasion was the signing of the register to signify Mrs Odeyemi’s last day at work and exit from service. She was supported by her husband. There was also the cutting of the retirement cake.

The event was spiced by an Ewi poetry by Oladipupo and dances in Yoruba and Ibo groups of the pupils.

In her response, the retiree said she was able to make it by God’s grace. She thanked the government for the opportunity to serve and her colleagues and pupils for the support.