It was a moment of joy and ceaseless jubilation by the senior and all cadre of National Sports Commission (NSC) Staff who rolled out drums to celebrate Chief Mrs Amaka Ashiofu, newly promoted Director in the Federal Civil Service.
The celebration feast aside NSC Staff had in attendance high-level dignitaries including former deputy director Mrs Toyin Aluko, National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, SWAN National Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo among others.
Chief Mrs Ashiofu who made her way into the exclusive hall of Federation and Elite Athletes Department of Moshood Abiola National Abuja amidst high-pitch music interlude was ushered in an electrifying atmosphere.
One after the other, NSC Staff and invited Guests paid glowing tribute to the celebrant, Chief Mrs Ashiofu.
Speaking, Mrs Aluko, who retired in 2019 described the celebrant as loving and resilient personality whose track record in the civil servant has been exceptional.
She then spoke of life after retirement adding, “It’s so good to retire, because you retire to refire. Being a director is no mean fit. Let us unite and work together. The legacy we leave behind is very important. Mrs Amaka is a jolly good fellow, that is why I travelled a very long distance to honour her.”
Describing her as a trail-blazer and a team player, SWAN President Mr. Benjamin urged others to emulate her virtues.
Mr. Patrick Okeke, the most senior director from NSC present at the event described the celebrant as a unique personality while expressing gratitude to staff for their show of love.
Other directors including Alhaji Salahu Yahaya of PRS department and director Department of Finance and Account (DFA) who made special presentation to the celebrant, all paid glowing tribute to Mrs Ashiofu.
On her part, the celebrant, Mrs Ashiofu, a Chieftaincy title holder took time out to share her life and public service experience
Chief Ashiofu rising with the popular Christian song “Jesus you love me too much” to the delight of teeming staff of the NSC, spoke briefly about her trials and triumphs leading to her successful elevation to the poison of a director in the federal civil service.
She said, “I want to thank all those who contributed to make this celebration come to pass. My promotion to the level of a director is both miraculous and unprecedented.”
Mrs Ashiofu then thumbs up her other colleagues – Mr. Bamiduro Olumide and Mrs Tecla Okpara who were promoted at the same period, saying, “This day is historic… for the first time, three persons from the National Sports Commission sat and got promoted to the level of director in the federal civil service.
“I’m so glad. May God reward all who organised this celebration event.”
Mr. Olumide and Mrs Okpara also spoke glowingly about the celebrant just as the three new directors embraced each other in reconciliatory demonstration of oneness.
