Wale JAGUN
The immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu branch, Executive Member of the State Chapter of NUT and the Ikorodu branch Chairman, Association of Primary School Heads of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Asiwaju Lateef Babatunde Oduguwa, on Friday, December 14, 2018, performed his last official assignment as a teacher and as an employee of the Lagos State Government amidst honours and commendations from colleagues and subordinates.
Oduguwa arrived Oga Primary School, where he was the Head Teacher until Friday, around 7am and supervised the cleaning of the compound with other teachers and conducted the proceeding at the Assembly Ground where he addressed the pupils for the last time in his official capacity.
At the Assembly Ground, the retiree thanked the pupils and staff members for their cooperation and tolerance.
He also enjoined them to continue to be good ambassadors of the school named after the progenitor of Ikorodu, Oga.
Thereafter, the former NUT Chairman taught his pupils to signify his last day in classroom as a teacher and later presided over staff meeting where he further commended the staff members for their dedication and commitment.
He later retired to his office where he also treated official files and look into the records of the teachers.
Meanwhile, a brief ceremony to mark his last day in Office was held within the school premises and was attended by the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu branch, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, Comrade Osoba Akhietuame, former Chairman, NUT Mushin and former State NUT Officer, Adeyemi Bola Johnson, former Chairman of Head of sections in Lagos State, NUT Ikorodu officers, Head of Schools, teachers and well-wishers.
Comrade Fakolade, Chairman, Ikorodu NUT Chapter, while speaking at the ceremony, described the Asiwaju Oduguwa as a leader of leaders.
“He is a leader of leaders. He has built many leaders and elevated the Ikorodu NUT to a standard that other branches across the nation are trying to emulate.
“He is a principled leader who is always ready to listen. While he was the chairman of our NUT, he executed many laudable projects and left great legacies that will endure for life in the records of the union and Ikorodu generally.
“He was equally a teacher of note; astute manager of men and resources; a leader per excellence; a disciplined comrade and a committed father.”
“I wish him great life ahead after serving for 35 years with commitment and dedication.”
Mrs Bisi Mustapha, also a retired Head Teacher, described Oduguwa as “a friend, leader, colleague, jolly good fellow and successful teacher.”
Other teachers and guests took their turns to commend and shower praises on the retiree whom they described as a great leader, philanthropist, manager, mobilizer, problem-solver and great thinker.
Asiwaju Oduguwa, in his farewell speech, commended Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, who succeeded him as Chairman of the Ikorodu branch of NUT, for the wonderful job he has been doing since assuming the position.
“My greatest happiness is the performance of my successor, Comrade Fakolade Femi. Although, I don’t bother myself much with the activities of his administration, but teachers always come to me to commend him and thank me for giving them a worthy successor.
“Whatever position that you find yourself, always consider it opportunity to serve and impact on the people.
“I thank Oga Primary School teachers for their support so far. I always give them free-hand to operate because they are all potential head teachers and I have never regretted the decision.
“It was a great privilege serving the entire teachers in Ikorodu and I thank them for the opportunity given to me to serve.
“Looking back, I remember the commitment of those that stood by me during the struggle to chat a new path for the Ikorodu NUT. It was a very trying period but all glory to Almighty God, here we are today, people are still appreciating us.”
He described himself as somebody that rose from grass to grace.
“I am one of those that rose from grass to grace. I sponsored myself to Teachers’ Training and always engaged in labourer work without my colleagues and friends knowing because my style is to find solutions to problems whenever they arise without disturbing others.
“I am a self-made man.”
He announced January 10, 2019, as the date for his retirement/Pull-Out ceremony.
