By YANGE IKYAA
The executive secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, has said that holding onto God should be the way to retire from service.
Pam stated this Tuesday in Abuja during a sendforth ceremony for NCPC director of special duties, Sir Peter Okhueleigbe, who is proceeding on retirement.
According to him, “a man who is going on retirement should hold onto God, likewise a man who is coming in should hold onto God for protection, because it is only God that will give you protection.”
Rev. Pam described the retiring director of special duties as a man who is strong, bold, expressive and intelligent.
In his words, “Peter was one of the staff that approached me when I became the executive secretary to brief me on the happenings in the commission”.
He further added that the commission has had three executive secretaries and the retiring director has served under all of them.
The NCPC boss acknowledged Okhueleigbe’s contributions by asserting that “you have passed through the good and difficult times under different chief executives. I am happy because that has made you who you are.”
Pam urged the retiring director to be thankful to God for finishing well and healthy, stating that most people would want to be in his shoes but they may not be very lucky and fortunate like him to see this day.
Earlier, the director of administration, Mr. Barnabas Ali, thanked all the staff for coming out to celebrate with the retiring director and to mark the end of his career in public service.
Ali said that the retiring Okhueleigbe has been successful in his field as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and, in his words, “Peter is one of the most successful staff of the commission in the accounts department and the commission has benefited from his wisdom.”
Speaking during the sendforth, the celebrant, Mr Okhueleigbe thanked God for giving him good health to successfully retire from service. He also thanked all who worked with him throughout his active time in the commission, including the executive secretary, for his style of leadership, while urging all staff to continue to work in peace as one family.
Okhueleigbe had served NCPC in different capacities, and was once the zonal coordinator of NCPC Southeast zonal office, Enugu; as well as head of accounts and finance department at the head office in Abuja.