“You have pursued the FCDA’s mandate of building a new city. I tell you, you have made a success of it; we have all made a success of it .Go round the city, there are a few cities you will go that you will say Abuja does not meet up to standard ,it is a global city. These are individuals who have dedicated their time, energy, and professional expertise to the advancement of FCDA’s mandate. Therefore, this is the least we can do for them”
Those were the words of the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, during a send-off ceremony in honour of nine members of the Authority’s Executive Management Committee (EMC) who retired from service recently.
The Executive Secretary attributed the successes being made on the city’s infrastructural development in-spite of the recent challenges faced by the Authority such as Manhole theft, Streetlight vandalization and other difficulties associated with the city’s development, to the individual and collective effort of the retirees, coupled with the support and cooperation of those still in service.
He said,” Yes, we have our own challenges such as the stealing of Manholes, Streetlight vandalization, but I think we are getting over it. The solutions that are coming, all come from the FCDA team that is here. Thank you very much, and we say hearty congratulations. We are inspired by the zeal, passion, and dedication with which you served the Authority and this will in no doubt encourage those of us still in service to find these virtues worthy of emulation “
The Executive Secretary also had a word for the staff of the Authority still in service: “Let us have it at the back of our minds that one day, we will need to step aside so that others will continue. What is important is that the baton keeps being handed over. The quality of service we have had from our retirees will continue to be upheld so that we build this magnificent city”
In a welcome address, the Acting Director, Human Resources Management, Mrs. Hauwa Ayodeji Olateju praised the retirees for what she described as exceptional services rendered to the FCDA, for which she said the Authority was grateful. “Your impressive service, uncommon efficiency, exceptional devotion all these years are greatly appreciated. We have learnt so much from your wealth of experience. Your contributions are invaluably appreciated, and we are grateful for the much you have invested in the Authority “, she stated.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the retirees, the immediate past Director, Mass Housing and Public Private Partnership (PPP), Engr. Emmanuel Abiodun Oluwadamisi said it was an honour on their part to be invited to the ceremony as some people retire from service elsewhere but are not given such an honour.
He expressed gratitude to God for the privilege of being members of what he described as the FCDA family, saying that the retirees were still available and willing to offer any service as may be required by the Authority any time.
According to him, “We are available for whatever we can contribute to the continuous development of FCT. FCDA is a family, and we thank God Almighty that we are privileged to be members of this family, so there is no retirement in FCDA; we are only re-firing, we are transforming from being civil servants to retirees. So, thank you very much.”
Members of the Authority’s Executive Management Committee (EMC) that were honoured with the send- off ceremony include the following;
- Engr. Emmanuel Abiodun Oluwadamisi, immediate past Director, Mass Housing / Public -Private -Partnership;
- Alhaji Aminu Aliyu Gaya, immediate past Director, Human Resource Management;
- Engr Ferdinand Obiora Ezeoha, former Director, Engineering services;
- Arc Eze Celestine Sunday, immediate past Director, Special Duties, in the Office of the Executive Secretary;
- Arc Musa Hassan Haruna, former Acting Director, Public Buildings;
- Arc Robert Unde, immediate past Acting Director, Public Buildings;
- Halima Yaddiko Yamusa II, former Deputy Director / Head, Human Resource Management, Office of the Executive Secretary;
- Mr Richard Nduul, immediate past Head, Public Relations;
- Mr Yakubu Onoku Siaka, former Deputy Director / Head, Human Resource Management, Office of the Executive Secretary.
