Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Ministry of Regional Development has feted 24 retirees, appealing to them to remain active in whatever way they can after retirement, while noting the challenges many people face during the transition from active service to retirement. This was contained in a statement signed by Sani Datti, Head, Information and Public Relations.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe, stated this in her remarks at the retirement celebration held today. She said the Federal Government and the Ministry appreciate the retirees’ contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly the time, dedication, and achievements they devoted to the service, and prayed that God would reward them abundantly.
She drew the retirees’ attention to the government’s welfare packages and severance benefits available to them, noting that the benefits are expected to provide some financial stability before they begin receiving their pensions.“We are celebrating 24 retirees this morning. We celebrate you, and we are grateful for your commitment, dedication, and service to the nation,” Dr Mary said.
She urged the retirees to continue sharing their voices, knowledge, and experiences in whatever ways they can so that the service can continue to benefit from their wealth of experience.“To those who worked directly with me, I sincerely thank you for your patience, understanding, and support throughout our time together,” she added.
In her welcome address, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, told the retirees that they were the reason for the gathering. “You have served this nation, and in particular, the Ministry of Regional Development, with unquantifiable loyalty, integrity, and commitment. For years, some for over three decades, you bore the burden of national development. You implemented policies, nurtured younger officers, and kept the system running even when it was difficult. You have written your names in the history of this Ministry.”
She said that between May 2025 and September 2026, the Ministry had bid farewell to the “gallant officers,” cutting across grade levels and cadres, from the Directorate cadre to Administrative, Technical, and Support staff.
“Each one of you carried a brick in building this Ministry from its formative stage as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to its present expanded mandate as the Ministry of Regional Development. Your footprints are indelible,” she said.
Mrs Tabitha added that the Ministry recognises that retirement is not the end of life but the beginning of a new and more rewarding chapter. According to her, it is a transition from active public service to a well-deserved period of rest, family, community service, and personal pursuits that time may not have permitted while in service.
She also appealed to staff still in service to learn from the retirees’ dedication and commitment. “Let today be a lesson for us. Let us learn from the dedication of our retirees. Let us serve with the consciousness that one day, we will also be celebrated in this manner. Let us be punctual, let us be diligent, and let us leave this Ministry better than we met it.”
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Finance and Accounts, Akpan Etop Andy, thanked the Ministry and its management for organising the celebration. He urged serving staff to remain kind and supportive towards their colleagues, so that they would be remembered positively and spoken of highly by others when they retire.
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