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I recently learned of the retirement of Mr. Adesola Olusade, the former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and feel compelled to say few things about my personal experience with him in office.
I extend my deepest gratitude for Mr. Olusade's unwavering dedication and meritorious service to our beloved country over the years.
As he embarks on a well-deserved retirement, I commend his exemplary commitment, bravery, and sacrifice for the nation, and above all, his integrity.
Throughout his distinguished career as a Public Officer, Mr. Olusade stood as a beacon of honour and integrity. His leadership and competence in various roles showcased not only his exceptional skills but also his unwavering sense of duty. His resilience in the face of challenges and selfless service has left an indelible mark on our civil service.
Allow me to recount a personal encounter I had with him several years ago when he was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. I had the opportunity to provide legal services, successfully representing the Minister and Ministry in an Arbitration case at CAS, Switzerland in 2017, in a matter relating to Athletics Federation of Nigeria. However, despite securing a favourable decision for the government, the perfection of my brief was denied, this implies non-payment of professional fees for lawyers. This was before Mr. Olusade was posted Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports. After several unsuccessful efforts to recover my fees, I abandoned it and moved on.
In 2019, facing financial strain due to some personal decisions, I revisited the matter and approached Mr. Adesola, who was newly transferred to the office. After explaining my ordeal, he advised I write and that the office would revisit my records, emphasizing the necessity of following due process. I wrote the demand letter and attached all necessary documents, starting to follow up every single day for almost two weeks, disturbing his office. He suddenly asked that I should come; I was so excited, thinking my money finally came. Behold, he gently informed me of a new government policy requiring approval from the Ministry of Justice for legal fees above a certain amount, and that my file had been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for review and approval. I felt disappointed and left. After two months of back-and-forth, approval for my payment finally came through, but the guys in the account claimed the money might be paid in three installments because they had a lot to clear. Lo and behold, my payment came in the full sum owed to me.
Remarkably, Mr. Olusade had intervened to expedite the payment, emphasizing the overdue nature of my fees. Grateful for his assistance, a week later, I went straight to his office to express my gratitude. I recall telling him, "Sir, I am grateful for your intervention and assistance. I would like to show my appreciation," and he humbly declined any form of such, instead encouraging me to continue my hard work.
Mr. Olusade's willingness to assist young professionals like myself in navigating their careers is commendable. His open-door policy and genuine interest in nurturing talent demonstrate his commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders.
As we bid farewell to a true hero in active service, I express my deepest gratitude to him for his exemplary service to Nigerians. May his retirement be filled with well-deserved moments of peace and reflection, knowing that his legacy of service will continue to inspire generations to come.
Thank you, sir, for your dedication and sacrifice. You have truly earned your place among the nation’s finest, and your legacy will endure as a testament to your contributions to nation-building and humanity as a whole.
Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq., is a Legal Practitioner and the Managing Partner at Law Corridor, Abuja.
