The Minister Works, Engr. David Umahi has commended the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu, for his dedication, integrity and contributions to the development of Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Umahi, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja during a retirement ceremony organised in honour of Adeladan, who retired after 35 years of service in the Nigerian public service.
He described the retired Permanent Secretary as a dependable administrator whose commitment to duty contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by the ministry.
He said his assessment of Adeladan was based on their working relationship at both the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to him, Adeladan demonstrated exceptional dedication, honesty, discipline and sincerity throughout his career, describing him as a quiet achiever who consistently delivered on his responsibilities.
The Minister noted that the retired Permanent Secretary’s commitment to work was particularly evident in the coordination and implementation of the ministry’s responsibilities under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He specifically acknowledged Adeladan’s contributions to the flag-off of several road projects across the country and the implementation of the four Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects.
Umahi described him as one of the administrative pillars behind the ministry’s achievements, adding that his contributions would remain valuable to the institution.
Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Muhammed Ahmed, described Adeladan as an accessible and accommodating leader whose open-door policy provided staff with guidance and opportunities for professional development.
Ahmed explained that the retirement ceremony, initially scheduled for August, was postponed because the former Permanent Secretary had to be persuaded to accept the honour.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Ibrahim Ozi, said the impressive turnout at the ceremony reflected the retired official’s character, professional accomplishments and relationships built over his years in service.
He urged public servants to prepare for retirement from the beginning of their careers, noting that every public service career, regardless of its achievements, eventually comes to an end.
In their goodwill messages, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, David Yiltong Dechi, and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Emily Osunde, commended Adeladan’s leadership qualities, administrative initiatives and contributions to the ministry.
They described him as a calm, hardworking and dependable administrator whose leadership had left a positive imprint on the ministry.
Similarly, a retired Director of Public Procurement, Yusuf Argungu, described Adeladan as a versatile administrator, peacemaker and result-oriented professional whose achievements were worthy of emulation.
Responding, the retired Permanent Secretary expressed gratitude to God for granting him a successful career in public service and appreciated his parents for their upbringing, love and support.
The ceremony featured the presentation of gifts on behalf of the ministers and management staff, the cutting of a retirement cake, cultural performances and the presentation of his professional citation.
A documentary highlighting his career journey, achievements and contributions to the Nigerian public service was also screened.
The event attracted several Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials, including Danjuma Sanusi of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Fatimah Sugra Mahmoud of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
