MRS RHODA OLUFUNKE OJO, ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE EKITI STATE PUBLIC SERVICE AS TUTOR-GENERALBy Omotayo Peter OlatundeDistinguished ladies and gentlemen as well as other well wishers, who are here gathered to celebrate our dear sister and mother, Mrs Rhoda Olufunke Ojo, a teacher of teachers, an HOD and former Principal of Outstanding Secondary School in Ekiti State, i mean ( St Louis Grammar school), Ikere- Ekiti, who is retiring from the Public Service, asTutor-General for Ekiti South Senatorial District.The triumphant retirement of our very own Mrs Rhoda Olufunke Ojo,, in every sense of the word, is unique! Why? Because our celebrator is simply someone who epitomises everything that is good! Besides, not all that runs the race usually ends well. The fact that she meritoriously and successfully served the Ekiti State Government, and became government’s choice as Tutor-General, who discharged duties attached to her enviable office, without compromising her integrity and standards so much reposed in her, or without incurring damaging records, is in itself worth celebrating. Glory be to the Almighty for that accomplishment.It will sound imprudent and invidious trying to do a profile of her here… No, the ecstasy of celebration might not bait me to fully achieve that here ,as much as i would have loved to do.But just a vignette : Mrs Rhoda Olufunke Ojo, is kind, I mean very kind, or to say the best, unpretentiously and incurably kind!A philosopher once brilliantly said; ” A man without honour, self discipline, dignity and self-respect, is a desperately poor man, no matter how much he has in the bank”. The sum total and tone of the quotation above must have always been a guiding principle for our retiree, throughout her public service life.She is a woman who values honour, self respect, dignity and self discipline, so much, and would do anything to always guide against abuse. She is also a no-nonsense type.She exemplifies the quintessential Ekiti woman, both in content and character. I must confess that my privileged association with her, is a complete tutorial in hard work, honesty, patience, knowledge and above anything and everything,..Jehova God!An ebullient. resourceful, hardworking, kind-hearted, humorous, dependable, heart of gold and wonderful specimen of God’s creation! She is more than a public servant or friend to many.A very brilliant and intelligent woman who though may be seen as being too quite and gentle to a fault, she is indeed a gentle giant and one of the likeable persons anybody can ever pray to meet, except those who might have misconstrued her emotions and sentiments.She can hardly hurt a fly, and is reputed among those close to her, for being a finest user of the English Language! Many who are close to her also bear testimony that as a very experienced and outstanding teacher that she is, she demonstrates a thoroughbred professional.Expectedly, she is a bookworm too, even though she is always an unwilling socialite and a strong pillar of many others, even at the beacon of her status, her relationship with people is without class.In simplest term, she is the actual definition of a good and responsible person that Nigeria needs in high places.She is someone who should forever be appreciated for her golden heart, love and selfless service to humanity.No matter how you measure her, it is a known fact that hers, is a life of selflessness, loyalty, commitment and heart of giving, all of which can not be taken away from her.She is cerebral, highly organised, cool, calm and collected. She is a quintessential technocrat, , a teaching maestro and consummate public servant She does not only love humanity but God. She so much believes that there is nothing impossible with God. For her, discrimination is a wont! There are no men or women; people are simply human beings and God’s creation. She always treat people equally, irrespective of gender, and this is commendable.She also believes so much in efficacy of prayers and intercession for people who worked under her, as she does for her family..She has also been touching so many lives by her selfless and countless acts of kindness, always giving and never expecting any favours in return. Her dedication to a cause, is what has continually set her apart!For every stage she worked, she always laid the path for others to succeed, and that, she did, until her very last day in office.Your life is that of a service to God and humanity. Not only are you a human being, you are also humane.From information gathered about you, you invested in people, especially in their career growth and, or in other important areas of life.You gave freely with no strings attached.A pride of her family, Mrs Rhoda Olufunke Ojo, is fashionable, and combines talent and distinguished character with beauty and brain. A quiet achiever and gentle giant of unequal rarity, gaiety, harmless and confident, with exciting moods that often makes her unassuming.It is in my estimation that you were not born for your family, not even for your town or state. You were born for humanity. Yours has been a golden stride, you have happened to life, oozing goodness and directions to them that are blessed with discretions. I just can’t praise less on a special occasion like this that our esteemed Madam is celebrating her retirement.A humility personified, I’ve never come across more of charitable persons than few people like you, always putting the interests of others before them in all circumstances.What is more? I can only pray that the Almighty God will brighten your every day and clothe you more with happiness in every step of your remaining journey of life.No weapon fashioned against you and your family shall prosper. As i speak grace of unlimited favour and testimony to locate you and your household in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, you shall always be cynosure of all eyes among men and women across globe, more than the heavens have smiled and done for the likes of globally acclaimed Amazon’s in Okonjo Iwealas of this world. Like your name depicts, ‘Olufunke”, meaning “God gave me specially to care”‘, may you continue to illuminate wherever the Lord takes you. To say you’ are awesome is an understatement. You are spectacular!I celebrate a dogged believer in equanimity, resilient, courageous, dependable, consistent and loyal to a fault.I celebrate this rare gem, who has a deep-seated passion to always be of help, and one who never begrudged anyone, irrespective of tribe, class, political belief or religion…Am proud of you , madamAs you step into another phase in your journey through life, i wish you happy retirement and pray for long life, more wisdom, knowledge, abundant wealth and a peaceful retirement.Please join me to celebrate this Amazon of a woman!!!!
