NCAC Lagos Organises Pomp Send-forth Party For Outgoing Staff

By Perekeme Odon

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) rolled out the drums to celebrate and honour three freshly retired officers, Mr. Momoh Afegbua, Mr. Francis Asowata and Mr. Lawrence Iyoha who had reached the statutory age of 60 and mandatory 35 years in the Nigerian Civil service.

The occasion was the send forth party in recognition of their meritorious services to the arts and cultural professionals, and the uplifting of the National Council for Arts and Culture. It was a befitting honour and a great appreciation for the retirees.

The colourful and entertaining event, which started with an opening prayer by Pastor Azubuike Ezeiwu and anchored by Mr. Pius Okhakia took place on Thursday, November 11 2020 at the Red Brick Gallery, NCAC Lagos Zonal Directorate, National Theatre, saw staff, friends, and family members of the retirees gathered to bid them farewell amid resplendence.

Speaking at the ceremony in his opening remark, Mr. Victor Dotun Omoniyi, Head, Lagos Zonal Directorate congratulated the retirees for their laudable services to the Council. “This event is a commendable one because these three resourceful staff have served the Council and existing the service at the stipulated time. They have so much committed to the vision of the Lagos Zonal Directorate and have never been found wanting in their dedication to duty. We are going to miss them much”. He stated.

Mr. Victor Dotun Omoniyi

 

 He went on to say, “They are retiring but not tired. Whenever we need their advice and help, they will always be there for us, because I believe there is no vacuum in life. Some have retired, but are still called back to still serve. I will have called them to stay on contract if I had that power and authority. As they are leaving, I pray that they do well in their post-retirement phase”. He asserted.

At the risk of sounding cliché, recognitions through citation brought the staff to life weaving a narrative the way a novel does by the Head of Administration Mr. Edwin Ezenobie who focused on the relationship and contributions of the retirees while in service.

Mr. Larry Iyoha & Mr. Edwin Ezenobie

 Comrade Regent Youmor, a resident business consultant who astonishingly found himself at the NCAC Artistes Village through Mr. Momoh Afegbua urged the retirees to be dedicated and committed to the service of humanity in their future endeavour, and blessed those they are leaving behind to emulate their good works. “I charge the officers to be prayerful, be of good character, and emulate the outgoing officers who have done phenomenally well in the course of their service to the nation”.

Ex-naval officer and a businessman resident of the NCAC Artistes Village, Chief Nze George Ohanunma who made a monetary donation as the transport to the retirees furthermore counseled them to get involved in productive activities during retirement in order not to be bored as well as spend more time with family and friends, travel and save money by undertaking “Do It Yourself” home improvement projects.

“I have retired in two jobs and you could see me waxing. So as you’re leaving service, do not say you’re a retiree and going to sit down waiting for a pension. Please, engage in something productive, and who knows, you may make it bigger than when you were in service. You’re not leaving life but only leaving a place you wrote an application to. They can still seek your advice because no man is an island”. He affirmed.

Mr. Victor Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh Afegbua & Mr. Francis Asowata

There were presentations of gifts from the Radio, Television, and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU) NCAC Chapter by its Chairman, Comrade Ben Ewuzieh and the National Auditor, Comrade Olorunfemi Olorunmoru; NCAC Public Relations Department headed by Mrs. Mario Okeke, Research and Documentation Department headed by Mrs. Nneka Akwara, the NCAC Lagos Welfare, and the Arts and Crafts Department which was headed by Mr. Momoh Afegbua.

Goodwill messages from Mrs. Sandra Kalu and Mrs. Ogbolu, Head, Account Department / President, NCAC Lagos Cooperative Cooperation Scheme reiterated the Federal government’s total commitment to the well-being of its workforce during and after service through prompt payment of salaries, allowances, bonuses, gratuity, and pension as well as other incentives. “I’m overwhelmed seeing these jolly good fellows retire. We’re going to miss you all”.

Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu & Mrs. Nneka Akwara

Mr. Lawrence Iyoha who spoke on behalf of the retirees thanked the staff and prayed for God to protect and guide everyone. According to him, “After 35 years of meritorious service to this great Council, your encouragement today has put me on a perfect pedestal, and this love should never cease. We should always keep in touch as family. It is not easy to part from a place where one has been for 35 years as a teenager. Do not see us as different or retired from you because we are retired. Please, do remember that we are family and are very open to contribute to whatever project you are embarking on as long as we are put in the picture because this is our home”. He avowed.

One of the retirees and a professionally trained sculptor, Mr. Francis Asowata of the Arts and Crafts Department said he appreciated the exciting and memorable event put together by the staff of the Lagos Zonal Directorate. “I had no problem working with any one of them because we all lived like one family. I achieved all I did owing to their supports and assistance. If I were to be born into this world again, I will want to work with this set of people”. He went further to say. “In terms of consultancy, my line and door are always open for NCAC. I am very ready to show up anytime I am being called upon 24/7 to give whatever assistance to the growth of the Council because this is a place to be. While here, many may not know the importance, but when one goes out, one would know this is actually a place to be. There are only two places to work in this country; NCAC and others”.

Mr. Momoh Afegbua who put in 27 years of meritorious service with the Council said. “The the event was fantastic with a brilliant presentation from my department, Arts and Crafts and the entire NCAC staff. However, what I met 27 years ago is not what is obtainable today. Things are not working the way it’s supposed to be. The standard of practice, quality of service, and staff welfare packages have fallen beyond zero levels. I don’t want to sound condemning, but I will advise the authority to look inward. I give kudos to Lagos Zonal Directorate for their maximum cooperation to realizing any set agenda, and will beg them to continue with the unity.”

Mr. Ibrahim & Mrs. Salimatu Afegbua

Mr. Afegbua went on to plead with the staff to put in their best in whatever they are doing. “Out of the 12 Zonal Offices, Lagos is the only Zonal Office recognized by Abuja due to the peculiarity of the arts and crafts shop I managed. That legacy should be upheld no matter what. Also in my 27 years of service, I attended 23 National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) all due to my hard work and diligence. Staff should strive harder without waiting or minding for Abuja’s recognition”.

To end the occasion, a vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Chinelo Nnodebe and closing prayers by Mrs. Bimbo Samson.

Present at the event was the Kerewa sensation, ZuleZoo of Africa and members of the NCAC Artistes Village, Mr. Ibrahim and Mrs. Salamatu Afegbua, Mrs. Iyoha, veteran actor/director, Haji Bello, and all members of staff of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Lagos Zonal directorate.

Hassanat and Hussiena Momoh

Mrs. Joy Okojie, Tunde & Moreno Haniel Omoh

(l-r) Mr. Ezenobie, Mr. Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh & Mr. Asowata

Comrade Regent Youmor & Asowata Jnr.

(l-r) Mrs. Agatha Akwaka, Mrs. Ngozi Okutuo & Mrs. Nnodebe 

(l-r) Mr. Victor Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh Afegbua & Mr. Francis Asowata

(l-r) Miss Mercy Igbafe, Mr. Lawrence Iyoha & Mrs. Nneka Akwara

Mrs. Joy Okojie & Mrs. Sandra Kalu

Mr. Shola Abiodun & Comrade Ben Ewuzieh

MC Pius Okhakia

Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu & Mrs. Nneka Akwara

Young Cash & Friends

Modeling Agent Tunde

(l-r) James Adaji, Samuel Noah & Miss Grace Ezenobie

Mr. Ibrahim & Mrs. Salimatu Afegbua

Mrs. Chioma Okere

(l-r) Miss Grace Ezenobie, Mr. James Adaji & Mr. Sam Noah

(l-r) Ifeoma Oraekwuotu, Mrs. Joy Okojie & Moreno Haniel Omoh

Mrs. Larry-Iyoha

(l-r) Mr. Lawrence Iyoha, Mr. Edwin Ezenobie & Mr. Victor Omoniyi

Mrs. Chinyelu Mark & Mr. Victor Ahuama

(l-r) Mr. Victor Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh Afegbua & Mr. Francis Asowata

Moreno Haniel Omoh & Sandra Kalu

Mr. Shola Abiodun & Mr. Victor Omoniyi

Mrs. Chinelo Nnodebe

Mr. Pius Okhakia & Mrs. Chinelo Nnodebe

(l-r) Grace Ezenobie, Samuel Noah & James Adaji

Mrs. Mario Okeke & Comrade Ben Ewuzieh

Mrs. Joy Ikediashi & Miss Seunniyi Oladokun

(l-r) Comrade Regent Youmor, Chief Nze George Ohanunma & Haji Bello

(l-r) Mr. Ibrahim & Mrs. Salimatu Afegbua & Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu

Mrs. Moreno Haniel Omoh & Sandra Kalu

Comrade Regent Youmor, Chief Nze George Ohanunma & Haji Bello

Mrs. Ngozi & Mrs. Ngozi Okutuo

Mr. Babatope & Mrs. Chioma Okere

(l-r) Shola Denja, Mrs. Mario Okeke, Mrs. Lola & Mr. Olorunfemi Olorunmonu

Mr.  James Adaji & NCAC RATTAWU Chairman, Comrade Ben Ewuzieh

(l-r) Mrs. Nnodebe, Comrade Regent Youmor, Chief Nze George Ohanunma & Haji Bello

Mrs. Mario Okeke, Mrs. Omolola & Miss Mercy Igbafe

Comrade Olorunfemi Olorunmoru & Mrs. Nneka Akwara

Mrs. Mario Okeke & Mrs. Omolola

(l-r) Agatha, Euphemia, Mrs. Chianugo, Mr. Asowata, Mr Iyoha, Aunty Bimbo, Otunba & Mrs. Ogbolu

(l-r) Mr Iyoha, Otunba, Mrs. Bimbo, Mrs. Chianugo & Mr. Asowata

(l-r) Mrs. Bimbo, Mr. Momoh Afegbua & Mrs. Euphemia Ewuzieh

(l-r) Mr. Shola Abiodun, Mr. Momoh Afegbua & Comrade Ben Ewuzieh

Mr. Francis Asowata & Artist Guobadia Monday

Mrs. Chinelo Nnodebe

Mrs. Mario Okeke, HOD CSP Presenting A Gift To Mr. Momoh Afegbua

Mrs. Mairo Okeke, HOD CSP Presenting A Gift To Mr. Lawrence Iyoha

Mr. Edwin Ezenobie & Mr. Victor Omoniyi

Mr Ibrahim & Mrs. Salimatu Afegbua With Mr. Momoh Afegbua

Cutting The Retirement Cake

Mr. Edwin Ezenobie, HOD Admin Presenting A Gift To Mr. Francis Asowata

Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu & Mr. & Mrs Lawrence Iyoha

Mr. Chinedu Agwuatu & Mr Laolu Banjoko

Mrs. Ngozi Okutuo & Miss Mercy Igbafe

Mrs. Stephenie Mbana, Mrs. Osunpidan

(l-r) Mr. David Oyelowo, Mr. Tajudeen Adetoye & Mr. Shola Denja

(l-r) Comrade Regent, Chief Nze & Haji Bello

Mr. Lawrence Iyoha & Mr. Edwin Ezenobie

(l-r) Mrs. Chinyelu Mark, Mr. Victor Ahuama & Mrs. Joy Okojie

Mr. Laolu Banjoko & Mr. James Adaji

NCAC RATTAWU Chairman, Comrade Ben Ewuzieh

Pastor Azubuike Ezeiwu

Mr. Larry Iyoha,  Mr. Edwin Ezenobie & Mr. Victor Omoniyi

Chief Nze George Ohanunma

Comrade Regent Youmor

HOD Account, Mrs. Christiana Ogbolu

 

Mrs. Agatha Akwaka & Mr. Pius Okhakia

Mr. Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh & Mr. Asowata

Osajie Shaggy Don Abraham & Adaeze Ikeh

Mrs. Chineyelu Mark & Mr. Victor Ahuama

Head of Lagos Zone, Mr. Victor Omoniyi & Mr. Momoh Afegbua

(l-r) Ifeoma Oraekwuotu, Mrs. Joy Okojie & Moreno Haniel Omoh

(l-r) Mr. Edwin Ezenobie, Mr. Victor Omoniyi, Mr. Momoh Afegbua

Mrs. Chiamaka Ezenwanne & Mrs. Stephenie Mbana

Mrs. Chiamaka Ezenwanne Filling Mrs. Iyoha's Cup For A Toast