By Perekeme Odon

It was a colourful moment no one would forget in a hurry as three staff of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Lagos Zonal Directorate, were honoured during a send-off ceremony on Monday, November 20, 2022, to mark their retirement from the council's services.

The event, which saw friends and well-wishers gather at the NCAC Red Brick at the National Theatre to bid them farewell into retirement, was a joyous occasion. Welcoming staff and the retirees, among whom were the former Head of Lagos Zonal Directorate, Mr Dotun Victor Omoniyi; Head of Accounts Department, Mrs Emimie Christiana Ogbolu; and Mr. Anthony Anietie Etukudoh, to the event, the Acting Head of Lagos Zonal Directorate, Mr Edwin Ezenobie, commended the retirees for their dedication and commitment over the years.

Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu, who began her career at the Council in 1987 as a Visual Arts Assistant in the Visual Arts and Crafts Department and progressed to become the head of the finance and accounting department, was showered with accolades. Prior to her employment, Mrs. Ogbolu was opportune to engage extensively in the frontlining of various art exhibitions at NCAC and outside functions. She was the Treasurer of the NCAC Co-operative from its formation and later became the President in 2016 till her retirement after 35 years of service.

Speaking at the event, Christiana Ogbolu expressed gratitude for the outpouring of praise, saying, "I am gladdened and surprised by the accolades showered on me. "This event today sincerely whispered that we are one family. I want to thank everyone who contributed to putting smiles on our faces. A lot happened. Some were retrenched, and a few died along the way and never saw their retirements. You will not die in service, as I pray for your retirement in the future the way I am retiring.” She stated.

Mr. Ezenobie described the former Head of Zone, who, until his retirement, was a Director and Head of Zone of the Council, as a good man and a gentleman. He commended him for dedicating 32 years of uninterrupted service and loyalty to the Council. He urged the staff of the Council to imbibe the spirit of truthfulness, vision, diligence, hard work, and teamwork that these dedicated servants had exhibited in performing their duties in the Council.

Mr. Omoniyi was employed at the National Council for Arts and Culture as a Research Officer II in 1990, and during his 32-year sojourn in the Council, he variously served and supervised the development of various projects in different capacities at the NCAC headquarters in Abuja before becoming a Director.

The retired Council Director thanked the attendees for their cooperation and support in carrying out his Council duties. According to him, “I thank God that we are all ending well. Today is a day of sober reflection, because uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. As the leader of a company, you see a lot and say little. As long as you’re in the civil service, you must stay within the rules and work within the rules. I thank the peacemakers and those who supported me during my tenure as Zone Head in the cause of my service."

He also advised staff to cooperate with Mr. Edwin Ezenobie, whose baton falls on the mantle of leadership as the Acting Head of Zone at NCAC Lagos. “Mr. Ezenobie had been so supportive to me. We’ve had lots of quarrels, pains, and disagreements that made us fall apart and come back together, and I pray for him to rise to the peak of his career. You people should not put him in a situation that would make him behave or work otherwise.” He advised.

It is indeed a truism that the world stops when people of integrity and good leadership are celebrated! This was the case for the former Head of Zone, NCAC Lagos, Mr. Dotun Victor Omoniyi, Head of Accounts Department, Mrs. Emimie Christiana Ogbolu, and Mr. Anthony Anietie Etukudoh. The management and staff of NCAC will surely miss their leadership and also wish them well in their future endeavours.