By Ayodele Abere.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye, has advocated that the 70 years retirement age for university professors should also be extended to the Polytechnics.
Oladebeye suggested this while speaking with news men during the get together held at the institution in honour of Builder Garba Olorunoje, who retired as one of the Chief Lecturers of the Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti,Ekiti State.
Describing the personality of the retiree, Oladebeye said he’s a goal getter, very amiable, very hardworking, very unassuming and very loyal to the administration.
According to the Rector, “he has always been very loyal right from the time I began to know him. In the administration of this polytechnic, right from inception, I have always known him as a very loyal person. Very easy going and always very jovial. I see him as a very strong and energetic person.
“Seeing him retiring at the age of 65, he doesn’t look that and ditto to so many other people who have retired at the stipulated age of 65. I want to think that with the experience I have had, some people retiring at 65 are still very strong, still having a lot to contribute to the development of the Polytechnic and Nigeria in general”.
Oladebeye said Olorunoje is still going to places in spite of his retirement adding that he sees him achieving his dreams of getting to higher height in life.
The National President of the Federal Polytechnic Alumni Association, Surveyor Oyedokun Augustine Abiodun, explained that Olorunoje was being celebrated for what he stands for as he described him as somebody with impeccable pedigree and integrity. Noting that he has impacted much into the lives of friends and students of the Institution.
“What you have seen today is a testimony that Olorunoje has done very well while in the system. We know God would reward him but we are appreciating him first now that he’s still very much around within us. So others should emulate him”. Oyedokun advised.
Alhaji Garba Olorunoje, was a Chief Lecturer in the department of Building Tech and the immediate past Deputy Rector (Academic) of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking on the journey so far, he explained that it has not been easy as it was ups and downs.
According to him, “I have learnt a lot of lessons from both sides, left and right. And I discovered that it is good to be good. If you are doing otherwise, there is always a reward. Today is the reward of what I have been doing for the past thirty years”.
Though retired but not yet tired, the celebrant said he’s still up and doing and that he still have a lot of things to do.
“I wish to read and in fact, even lecturing in some of these nearby Polytechnics and even Colleges of Education. All other things being equal. I still have the energy to do more.
Olorunoje urged his colleagues that are still in the service to ensure that they do all their possible best to carry out any assignment given to them well.
“If you are doing it well, don’t think that they are not watching you, they are watching you and you may be called to service anytime, anywhere. But if you don’t do well, people will remember you for that. What am enjoying today is goodwill and I thank God for the unique opportunity that God has given me”.
The event was attended by other principal officers of the institution and the highlight of the occasion was presentation of gift items to the celebrant by groups and individuals.