Campus News

UNILORIN Staff School honours Adebisi, seven other retirees

The University of Ilorin Staff School has honoured Mr George Adenle Adebisi and seven other retiring staff members for their exceptional contributions to the growth and development of the school. Mr Adebisi is also a retiring Deputy Director in the Directorate of Corporate Affairs.

The send-off ceremony, which was held last Thursday (April 3, 2025) at the Obayomi Hall within the school premises, was organised to celebrate the retirees’ years of dedicated service and to recognise their impact on generations of pupils through teaching, mentorship, and administrative support.

Mr Adebisi, a Linguistics graduate, majoring in Yoruba, was a senior teacher at the school before moving to the Directorate of Corporate Affairs in 2016.

Other honourees included Mr Tawab Funsho, Mrs Bola Jane Okoro, Mr Jonathan Babatunde, Mr Sanjo Aderoju, Mrs Fausat Abdul, Mrs Florence Toyin Opakunle, and Mrs Omoyemi Ikujuni.

Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin at the ceremony, Mr Adebisi, who was praised for nurturing numerous pupils and helping them reach greater heights in their careers, appreciated the school authority, the University Management, and the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, for the enabling environment and opportunities given him to serve. He prayed that God would reward everyone bountifully.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of the School, Mr Daniel Ayodele, who spoke on behalf of parents and teachers, expressed appreciation to the retirees, describing them as pillars, who helped shape the school into one of the best among its peers. He encouraged them to continue their legacy even in retirement.

Speaking on the topic, “The Journey So Far,” the PTA Chairman reflected on the importance of making meaningful contributions to one’s environment. “We should all ask ourselves what our response would be if God asked, ‘What have you done for your community”, he stated.

He described retirement as a joyful transition and commended the honourees for their glowing legacies. “The reward of a teacher is not only in the hereafter. It is being seen and appreciated today,” he added, urging them to remain sources of inspiration.

Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Atologun, who represented the Chairman, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting the Staff School. He emphasised that the school remains a proud part of the SSANU family and appreciated the retirees for training generations of students.

The Headmaster of the School, Mallam AbdulRahman Solihu, in his address, expressed joy over the success of the event, which he said had been in planning for six months. He appreciated the University Management, PTA, and SSANU executives for their support and prayed for the well-being of the retirees.

In their responses, Mr Sanjo Aderoju and Mrs Bola Jane Okoro, who spoke on behalf of the honourees, expressed gratitude to the school and advised staff members to remain united and committed to excellence.

Mr Aderoju urged everyone to take good care of their health and prayed for smooth processing of their entitlements while Mrs Okoro encouraged discipline, financial planning, and diligence, advising younger staff not to wait for recognition from people but to trust in divine reward.

The ceremony was graced by family members, colleagues, friends, children, and grandchildren of the retirees, creating a lively and emotional atmosphere filled with gratitude and celebration.