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Okodu retires from NCC amid encomiums from colleagues, friends

Durojaiye Anthony Okodu (right) During the Event at NCC Head Office Annex, Abuja, FCT

*Fellow staff and friends of Durojaiye Anthony Okodu have poured encomiums on him as he retires from the service of the Nigerian Communications Commission

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Durojaiye Anthony Okodu, who is retiring from the telecoms sector regulatory Commission, has been described as “an unusually calm, friendly, stylish, and very considerate staff” of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The NCC said Okodu is a man without negative airs, yet he carries himself with the avuncular grace. His physical persona is marked by an exceptional gait that matches his physique.

“A man of naturally tall framing devoid of excessive fat that makes him able to move swiftly and magisterially.

“Importantly, Okodu’s humility and affable disposition easily endear him to everyone,” said the Commission.

ConsumerConnect reports his colleagues at the NCC gathered Friday, April 8, 2022, in the imposing auditorium of the Commission’s Head Office Annex at Mbora District, Abuja, FCT, to honour Okodu, also known as “Baba Naira”.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated that Okodu bowed out of NCC, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years and after 28 years of meritorious service to the Commission and Nigeria.

Okodu’s professional trajectory

Adinde noted Okudu began his career at the Commission July 1994, as a cashier on transfer from the erstwhile Ministry of Communications, where he was headhunted by  Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, a  former Director of the Commission.

The NCC said since then, he had risen from the ranks before eventually retiring as a Principal Manager, Projects, at Commission.

According to the Commission, at the well-attended valedictory session, staff, friends, and well-wishers of Okudu paid glowing tributes to the man who can aptly be described as ‘man of the people’.

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Many were nostalgic and poignant while others were joyous, optimistic and tellingly introspective that Okodu would thrive in the next phase of his life.

In her remark, Iyabode Solanke, Director of Projects, who is Okodu’s last supervisor before his retirement, and who was Okodu’s Head of Department while they both worked in the Commission’s Department of Financial Services, extolled the retiree for his dedication, as well as his dressing code and excellent work ethics, which she said are worthy of emulation.

Solanke, represented by Philip Eretan, a Deputy Director in the department, who also attended the valedictory session in his own capacity as a friend of Okodu.

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Likewise, Amina Shehu, Director of Zonal Operations at NCC, in her goodwill message, stated that in every interaction she had with Okodu, she had observed his stellar qualities, such as empathy, kindness, and gentleness.

She added that he was also consistent in everything he did.

His display of emotional intelligence admirable, says Adinde

For Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, who also attended the valedictory party, anyone would be easily impressed by Okodu’s level of dedication to duty, which has become a mark of Okodu’s outings and career at the NCC. Adinde said that Okodu was not merely ever-present whenever he was needed most, he also, every so often, displayed emotional intelligence, and never lost his temper no matter the level of provocation.

“I am also impressed by Okodu’s social networking skills, which had enabled him to remain connected with every staff,” Adinde emphasised.

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Ephraim Nwokonneya, Director of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement at NCC, also profoundly recalled the attributes Okodu exhibited that are so quite distinctive when he had the opportunity of working with Okodu in the Financial Services Department of the Commission.

Nwokonneya recalled when he was assigned to the Department of Financial Services of the Commission as a Principal Manager, he had worked closely with Okodu, who characteristically was full of zeal and energy.

He said Okodu was very efficient and easily endeared himself to everyone. Nwokonneya encouraged him to look at retirement as a time of rejuvenation, reflection and prosperity.

A longtime companion and friend of Okodu, who was so evidently elated at Okodu’s befitting retirement, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, a Deputy Director in the New Media and Information Security Department of NCC, said Okodu made her beginnings at the Commission a wonderful experience.

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To Oyeleye, Okodu is more than a colleague, “he is a brother,” she said while recalling  with gratitude when she joined the Commission as a fresh graduate, “Okodu and his wife accommodated me, taking me under their wings.”

This humane side of Okodu was underscored by Hafsat Lawal, Head of Consumer Policy Development and Monitoring, who asserted that the retiree was a mentor and friend in need.

“He is reliable and dependable, exuding high level of understanding in all matters and he would go out of his way to ensure everyone was comfortable,” Lawal said.

Former staff of the Commission were also not left out of the celebration. Among them, who attended and poured encomiums on Okodu are Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, who retired from NCC as Director of Consumer Affairs two years ago, and Abubakar Yakubu, a former Director at the Commission, who voluntarily retired in 2019.

Onwuegbuchulam, a noted friend and confidant of Okodu who influenced Okodu to join the Commission 28 years ago, said she had no regrets in recommending him to the Management of the Commission at the time.

According to her, she was gratified that Okodu did not only have a chequered career at the Commission, he also excelled remarkably.

Yakubu, in a goodwill message he sent to the valedictory programme which was read on his behalf, praised Okodu for his dedication to the Commission.

He declared that the retiree was one of the few staff who would work long hours, and would even work at home.

He added that Okodu’s commitment and relentlessness to delivering on his assigned duties were total and spectacular.

Okodu thanks all

Okodu, who spoke at the end of the speeches, thanked the audience and all those who had honoured him with their presence and kind words.

Reflecting on the occasion with philosophical calmness and thanksgiving to God, Okodu said there had to be an end to every beginning, but he thanked God for the privilege to witness his retirement day alive.

While expressing delight over all the goodwill messages received, he enjoined the younger staff who would be taking over the baton to be hardworking.

He also advised that Commission can only thrive, if staff remain hardworking in a consistent manner, and are dedicated, loyal to the Commission.

Other contributors at the event included Ajoke Atte, Head of Procurement; Solomon Igbayue, Assistant Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis; Emeka Nnama, Senior Manager, Zonal Operations; and Anthony Bassey, Senior Manager, Administration, all staff of the Commission who extolled Okodu’s distinctive virtues and dedication to the aspirations of the Commission.

They all wished Okodu a life of grace and bliss in retirement.

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