Mrs Felicia Mojisola Olaniyi on Monday February 28, 2022 bowed out of the civil service of Ondo State amid warm commendations and prayers by her former colleagues.
The accolades were poured on her at a send forth ceremony organised by staff of Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, where she retired as Chief Executive Officer Accounts.
The Head of the agency, Engnr Stephen Olugbenga Bolawole, who opened the floodgate of commendations, described her as one who encouraged him to ensure that the office stands.
According to him: “This woman was one of the pillars that encouraged me and she was one of the people who made this place stand today. It got to a point that I was alone and I needed people to say that “we can do it;” and I didn’t see, even people that I knew.
“Some even said that the place had already been cancelled. But this woman stood her ground. Iya, I can never forget you. The roof of this place was so bad that this place was not just leaking, it was flooded. She would come. We brought her here. She did not complain. Some other people would have gone back and rejected the posting, but she did not complain.
“She would come. Most of the time she would use her legs to trek. This woman is an encourager and I pray that as you are going, you will not lack in every area of your life where you need an encourager.
“You have done what is amazing especially in this our generation where people love money. You did not consider money first before doing what you felt you should do. I am also saying this so that we can learn. I would have loved it for us to mount canopies.
“You are doing pen-down today but you are still part of us. As long as I am still here by the grace of the Lord, you are still one of us. Whatever benefits that we are enjoying here, you will enjoy. She is a pioneer. And I know that this office is going places.
“There is no way we would write the story of this place that her name will not be mentioned. It is not possible. It is not complete. How many people started this place? They were three; Herself, the Accountant and the CIA. I was just sent here to head the place.
“They were with me and I use to say it anywhere. They are different people. I always tell them even the Accountant General. I use to tell the Accountant. They are different brands. I want to welcome you and thank you for coming.
“She would never complain. I have never seen her frown. She would always give you word of encouragement and that word is what you are seeing today.
“The Bible says the Word became flesh. The consequence of her words is what we are seeing today. Otherwise we won’t have seen this place stand today. I won’t say much.
“I just want to pray for you that the Lord will not depart from you. May He lead you and may His Presence always abide by you. You are retiring today, but you are going higher. You will live your retirement in good health. You won’t regret that you retired. Thank you very much.”
Corroborating, her other colleagues including Mr Adu Lawrence Kayode, Mr Clement Bamidele and Mrs Adenike Agbotoba, also showered praises on her and prayed for her. Her sister, Mrs Bosede Ayoola, thanked the boss and all the staff of the agency for the honour done her elder sister whom she described as “our mother” and prayed for their prosperity as that of their office.
In the closing prayer, Pastor J. A. Falaye said: “We thank Thee Lord. The same day 28th that you Mrs Felicia Mojisola Olaniyi were born you are now retiring gloriously. As you are going out from here, you won’t move into the hands of death.
“Your perseverance and striving at home, in the office are the same as those in the Church. I feel comforted whenever I see you. You have kept the treasury loyally and faithfully. Truly you are a special person.
“Today I pray that that you will not suffer and your source will not go sour. Though you pen down today, you have just started because the Lord is taking you further. People will see the glory of the Lord in your life. Your beauty before the Lord will not go sour. It does not go sour before human beings, it won’t turn sour before the Lord.
“Your home will not be empty. Your path won’t whip you. You won’t come into harm. May the Lord hand over to you what you will eat throughout your life. May suffering and poverty depart from your life. May difficulties stay away from you.
“I now prophesy, all of you who have spoken about this woman, your mouths will not go sour. Your home won’t be in disarray. Your paths won’t flog you. You won’t see the wrath of the Lord. Wherever you are, Proverbs 3 verse 4 said that you will see favour before the Lord and human beings.
“As you are moving out of this office, calamity won’t befall this place, serial deaths won’t come here, ailments and suffering won’t enter here. Misunderstanding won’t enter here. The unity and love that the Lord has sown here will continue to flourish.
“This office won’t fold up. You have worked without reaping. Your time of harvest is coming. Even before this year ends, you will start reaping. They will remember this place for good.
“Whenever you too will be retiring, you will not go into the hands of death. All of you, your stars will continue to shine. You will reap goodness.
“Lord please look mercifully at Ondo State and our country Nigeria. May Thy Will be done.”
Giving her vote of thanks, Mrs Olaniyi expressed gratitude unto the Lord for seeing her through, saying: “I thank the Lord. I thank you all. I praise the Lord that I started here joyfully and I am ending joyfully. I am grateful that I am not being repaid today with a coffin.
“I am grateful for all whose paths I have crossed in the course of my official duty. I thank all my bosses that I have worked with, some of who are here today. I thank the Lord on all my colleagues here in Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Board that it pleased the Lord to make us friends. My boss here has been so kind. I thank my family. I thank my father in the Lord. I am thankful to all.
“I pray for all you workers here. Your glory is coming to shine. You will never fall to shame. I thank you all. May the mercy of the Lord accompany you on all your paths.
Her gratitude and the ceremony were rounded off spontaneously by the chorus :“Everybody here I am grateful. I never knew You will answer me this way. Thank You my Lord.”
In attendance among others were Engnr Ogunti Olanrewaju, Engnr Mrs Olukemi Ogunrinde, Mr Omoniyi Olugbenga, Mrs Olowofela Toyin, Mrs Ogundipe Tosin, Mr Odejobi Babafemi, Mr Adeyemi Babatunde, Mrs Monebi, Mr Olotu, Mrs Ibitoye, Mrs Adebowale, and Engnr Williams.
