The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., on Saturday, attended a Holy Mass to mark the 60th birthday anniversary and retirement of the Permanent Secretary in his office, Sir Anthony Nwokolobia, Ph.D., from the civil service.
The Holy Mass which was well attended by a retinue of Priests, traditional rulers, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, among others took place at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Asaba.
Delivering a Homily at the Thanksgiving Mass, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwa reminded public servants that retirement should be embraced as a season of grace rather than feared as a “punishment.,’
While praising the integrity of outgoing civil servants who refused to falsify their records, the Priest commended Sir Nwokolobia for his honesty regarding his age, a rarity, he noted, in the Nigerian public sector.
”It is good that you retired at 60, most public servants continue to change their age; only God knows their true years.
“You didn’t change yours, and for that, you deserve honor.
“Thanksgiving is very important in our life, not so many are grateful; Jesus Christ healed ten lepers, only one came back to say, ‘Thank you.’
“If you begin to expect thank you from the people you have done good for, you may not do anything good again.
“Thanksgiving is a sentiment shared by all loved ones; today Nwokolobia, God will accept your thanksgiving.
“People are afraid of retirement, retirement is not a punishment, it is not death sentence; do not be afraid, you have dedicated you life to God, you are a Knight, you are a Ph D holder, you have worked well and what is more, you have retired as a Permanent Secretary; so do not be afraid.
“Public servants are afraid of retirement because the system has failed, because people do not get their gratuity on time,” Fr. Uganwa said.
