LSUBEB Honours Retired Education Officers

Funmi Ogundare

Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), recently, held the year 2021 last day in office award and recognition ceremony for retired teachers and education officers, aimed at honouring them for their meritorious service to the state.

Speaking at the programme, held at the board’s Multiple Purpose Hall, Maryland, the Chairman, Wahab Alawiye-King affirmed the need for the retirees to give glory to God having survived the challenges over the years.
He congratulated and appealed to them to use their time wisely.

The facilitator and immediate past Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde also congratulated them for coming this far.
According to her, ” it is a great thing to be honoured after 35 years of service. Despite the challenges, you were still able to make it.”

She reminded them about the principles of life saying that the most important is that of sowing and ripping which money, power and position cannot reverse.

Ayinde appealed to them to pay more attention to their spiritual, emotional and financial life saying, ” some people have one type of sickness or another, it is because they did not pay attention to their emotional life. This is the time to forget the past and get rid of unforgiveness.

“You also need to take care of your financial life and seek information on investment. You must ensure you spend less than what you earn. You must also give back to the community.”

The former Chairman, National Union of Teachers ( NUT), Lagos branch, Mr. Adesina, who commended the board for putting the programme together, said the union does not give room to experimentation, adding that it is committed to the present administration.

” The result of the recently released SSSCE results has justified the investment of the Lagos state government on education.”

He appealed to the education officers to continue to put in their best.
Some of the retirees who spoke to THISDAY though expressed excitement about the honour given to them, bemoan the non payment of their gratuity since they retired this year.

Mrs. Adepeju Ajala who retired as a Deputy Director of Education, level 16 in January 17, 2021, said, “this honour has never happened in the history of Lagos. I am happy that I am remembered and honoured. This kind of honour should be continuous.

” However, in the last 11 months, my pension is yet to be paid. I only spend the little I have.”
She appealed to the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to pay their gratuity as they don’t want to turn to beggars.

Mrs. Ndidi Okorocha who also retired as an assistant director of education said the administration should look into the plight of the retirees when they are still alive, adding that they should continue to honour them so that others coming behind can benefit.