Members of the Obafemi Awolowo University International Relations Alumni Association were gathered together on Sunday to celebrate two of their members who have just been promoted in their places of assignments. Messers Adewale Adeniyi and Daniel Odharo have just been promoted as Assistant Comptroller of Customs and the Nigerian Correctional (formerly Prisons) Service respectively.
The members under the auspices of International Relations Students Association led by the President came all out via Zoom party to extol the great virtues inherent in the officers. Members were drawn from various parts of the world, from Europe, Asia, America, Oceania, to be part of the online celebration. Mr. Wale Adeniyi is the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association.
According to the organisers there was the need to celebrate excellence and the leadership prowress of the outstanding members of the association. While in school, Dan Odharo and Wale Adeniyi were successive presidents of International Relations Students Association.
While Wale was present, Daniel Odharo was unavoidably absent.
The members present were highly excited as they pour encomiums on the new ACG for his leadership qualities which he had started to manifest from his school says in the department.
According to Mr. Tim Akano an ICT guru, who was a classmate of Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the consistent promotion of the customs officer has been a proof of his dynamism, intellectual strength and leadership qualities as he prayed for good health, the grace of God and divine favour for greater accomplishments in his public and private life without any blemish.
To Professor Charles Ukejeh, also of the Department of International Relations of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Adeniyi is like an elephant which you can see differently from different directions recalling one of the days he saw the customs officer as a man of the people easily at home with the sakara and sekere players showing he could blend with all manners of people. He appreciated him for commanding respect both within his private and public life noting that he still had a lot ahead of him.
“Every promotion comes with its challenges,” said Kunle Awoyemi from London as he prayed for God’s favour, mercy and protection.
Another member, Dr. Wale Ismail described Mr. Adeniyi as a well respected, well spoken of and a brilliant customs officer who came to change the face of Lagos Airport while he was there. “He is a source of pride to us all. With his like it is still possible to see men of integrity in power as we look to bigger positions for you in life.”
The remarks were not only limited to old members as young ones were also allowed to appreciate the special guests of honour. According to Stephen Tope Ojo, a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Information, Mr. Adeniyi was a very fine customs officer, an accomplished public servant and “the appointments have shown the potentials we have in the department. He has been an inspiration to many younger students and graduates of the department.”
They all prayed for renewal of strength and that God would continue to elevate him.
In his response, the special guest of honour, Mr. Wale Adeniyi expressed his appreciation to all members that turned up for the honour speaking on what made him stand out in his public life.
Sharing some elements of his success secrets the new ACG said, “Everywhere I find myself I believe life is short and within that one can still offer service with a lot of commitment. I don’t have any issue with working hard and playing very hard. One must be ready to take up challenges when they come.
“I worked with seven Comptroller General of Customs and none could say I was his boy so it was not difficult for the succeeding CG to retain me.” He advised whoever cared to listen to “Let people identify you with excellence in service wherever you are.”
Among the distinguished members who showed up were Messers Abiola Falayajo, Chris Adetayo, Tim Akano, Abiodun Adeniyi, Adesoji Adeniyi, Kunle Ojeleye, Oladapo Babajide, Kunle Awoyemi, Gregory Olukayode Obayomi, Julius Adegunna, Adewale Oladimeji and Ebaye Ntan.
The females were not left out both young and old. The list included Mrs. Funmi Okegbenle–Onasanya, Nike Orogun, Oluwatoyin Oluwasoyin-Olanrewaju and Vivia Uzoma.
In his vote of thanks the President of the association Mr. Chris Adetayo appreciated all that were part of the unique gathering, promising that more of such a forum would be coming up in future to facilitate interactions among members on different themes cutting across business, academic to celebrating personal milestones.
The department has also produced a number of distinguished ambassadors in the nation’s diplomatic corps.
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