By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has commended the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Adeladan Olarinre for his integrity, dedication and outstanding contributions to the development of the nation’s infrastructure sector during his 35 years in public service.
According to an official statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Goronyo gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja at a retirement ceremony organised in honour of the former Permanent Secretary.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, Goronyo described Adeladan as a man of integrity, discipline, sincerity and hard work, whose commitment to duty contributed significantly to the achievements of the Ministry.
The Minister of State said his assessment of the retired Permanent Secretary was informed by their close working relationship at both the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Federal Ministry of Works.
He noted that Adeladan demonstrated exceptional commitment to his responsibilities, ensuring effective coordination and articulation of the Ministry’s activities in pursuit of its strategic mandate of delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through infrastructure development across the six geopolitical zones.
Goronyo particularly acknowledged his contributions behind the scenes to the flag-off of several road projects and the implementation of the four Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects, describing him as one of the administrative pillars behind the Ministry’s accomplishments.
“We are behind you, wherever you are. He is a man of his word, a quiet and silent achiever,” he said.
Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammed Aminu Ahmed, described Adeladan as an accessible and accommodating leader whose open-door policy provided staff with guidance, direction and opportunities for professional development.
Ahmed apologised for the delay in organising the retirement ceremony, explaining that the event, initially scheduled for August, was postponed until the former Permanent Secretary was eventually persuaded to accept the honour.
In their goodwill messages, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Emily Osunde, commended Adeladan’s leadership qualities, administrative initiatives and professional contributions to the Ministry.
They described him as a calm, hardworking and dependable administrator whose leadership left a positive imprint on the institution.
Dechi, while acknowledging his achievements, captured the occasion with the Hausa expression, “Yabon gwani ya zama dole,” meaning that the accomplishments of an outstanding professional deserve recognition and praise.
Similarly, a retired Director of Public Procurement, Alhaji Yusuf Argungu, described Adeladan as a versatile administrator, a master of many disciplines and a committed peacemaker, whose result-oriented approach and record of achievements were worthy of emulation.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkareem Ozi, observed that every career in public service has a beginning and an inevitable end, stressing the importance of preparing for retirement from the beginning of one’s career.
He noted that the calibre of personalities who gathered to celebrate Adeladan spoke volumes about his character, professional accomplishments and relationships built over the years.
In his response, the retired Permanent Secretary expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for granting him a successful and fulfilling career in the public service.
He also appreciated his parents for their love, care, upbringing and invaluable contributions to his personal and professional development.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of gifts on behalf of the Ministers and management staff, the cutting of a retirement cake, cultural performances, presentation of his citation and a documentary showcasing his career, achievements and contributions to the Nigerian public service.
The event attracted Permanent Secretaries and other senior government officials, including Alhaji Danjuma Sanusi of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Fatimah Sugra Mahmoud of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
