FG Honours 24 Retirees For Contributing To National Development.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Federal Government and the Ministry of Regional Development have appreciated Retirees’ contributions to Nigeria’s development, appreciating the time, dedication, and achievements they devoted to the service.

The Ministry which honoured 24 Retirees, appealed to them to remain active, noting some challenges many people face during their transition from active service to retirement.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, who spoke at the retirement celebration held on Wednesday, drew the retirees’ attention to the government’s welfare packages and severance benefits available to them.

This was contained in a Statement signed by the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations Sani Datti. According to the Statement , Dr.Ogbe said the benefits are expected to provide financial stability before they begin to receive 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,” She said.

She therefore urged the Retirees to continue avail their knowledge and experiences so that the service can leverage further on their wealth of experience. She thanked those who worked directly with her for their patience, understanding, and support.

In her welcome address, the Director of Human Resources Management in the Ministry, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, appreciated the Retirees for their active service to the nation and in particular to the Ministry of Regional Development.

She recognized their 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.

According to her, between May 2025 and September 2026, the Ministry had bid farewell to the gallant officers which include 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 noted that retirement 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 urged staff still in service to learn from the retirees’ dedication and commitment.

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, and render their services in ways which they would be remembered positively.

The Ministry therefore prayed that God would reward the Retirees abundantly.