The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, organised a first-of-its-kind retirement ceremony in honour of its long-serving staff members on Thursday, 15th January 2025. The memorable event, held at the hospital’s Small Auditorium, celebrated the retirement of six Directors and two Heads of Department (HODs).
The ceremony was organised to honour these notable staff who meritoriously served the hospital for 33 and 35 years respectively. The retirees include: Mr Akorede Salami, former Director of Dietetics; Dr (Mrs) Abosede Awoseemo, former Provost, College of Nursing Education; Mrs Oluwatoyin Amusan, former Director, Health Information Management; Mrs Tayo Adebowale, former Director, Social Works; Mrs Foluke Fola-Alao, former Director of Finance and Accounts; Arch. Falilat Olowu, former Director of Maintenance Services; Mr Adewole Adeyeba and Mr Isaac Omiwole, former HODs Stores and Supply respectively.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. John Okeniyi, described retirement as a “circle of life.” He appreciated the retirees for their dedication and selfless service, noting that they exited the system without blemish. He stated that the Directors and HODs left their respective departments better than they met them. Prof. Okeniyi further emphasised the importance of staff development, urging departmental heads to prioritise capacity building as a key aspect of administration, beyond service delivery.
In his goodwill message, the Director of Administration, Dr. Ayodeji Bobade, appreciated the CMD and top management for organising such a memorable programme in honour of the retirees. He congratulated them on their successful and impactful years of service to the hospital and honouring the invitation when called upon.
A tribute was presented by the Head of the Corporate Services Department, Miss Oluwakemi Fasoto, who highlighted brief profiles of the retirees. She eulogised their achievements and the solid foundations they laid during their service years, congratulating them and wishing them a fulfilling retirement.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Fola-Alao, expressed deep appreciation to the management for the innovative initiative in honouring them as they bowed out of service. She commended the CMD for the numerous innovations implemented since assuming office and thanked the management for their kind gestures. She also appreciated members of staff who attended the ceremony. Similarly, the former Director of Dietetics, Mr Akorede Salami, lauded the hospital’s leadership for the infrastructural developments achieved over the years and expressed gratitude for the thoughtful gifts and memorable event organised in their honour.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Head of Human Resources, Mr Rotimi Omotoye, who appreciated the management and all attendees. He noted that “everything that has a beginning must have an end,” congratulating the retirees for starting well and ending well, adding that their successful careers justified the means. He commended them for their years of dedicated, selfless, and meritorious service to the hospital.
