By Fatima Saka
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has celebrated sixteen distinguished retirees from its Department of Hospital Services (DHS), commending their decades of service and pledging to preserve and build on their legacy in the nation’s healthcare system.
During the special ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, hailed the retirees as “pillars of the health sector” whose professionalism, dedication, and sacrifices have contributed immensely to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Dr. Salako reassured them that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to the welfare of retirees and values their continued input even after formal service.
“Retirement is not the end of the road, but the beginning of a well-earned journey. Your wisdom and experience remain vital to the ministry and to Nigeria,” he said. “As the President rightly noted, one day, we will all be retirees, so it is our duty to treat those who have served with dignity and respect.”
Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni described the event as a landmark, being the first time the DHS has hosted a dedicated retirement ceremony for its officers.
She hailed the head of the Department for initiating the programme and urged other departments to adopt similar recognition efforts.
Giving his remarks, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, Director, Department of Hospital Services paid his glowing tribute to the honorees, describing them as “giants whose work speaks even in silence” through the policies they shaped, the systems they built, and the professionals they mentored.
“What we built today will be remembered tomorrow,” Dr. Jimoh reminded current officers. “The standard you set becomes your legacy.”
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The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to advancing universal health coverage in line with the Federal Government’s health agenda and pledged to ensure that the values upheld by the retirees professionalism, integrity, compassion, and excellence remain central to its operations.
Those honored were:
Dr. Noah Andrew, Dr. Bitrus Deborah Oghoghorie, Dr. Aderemi Najim Azeez, Dr. Kingsley Odiabara, Mrs. Zainab Bolarinwa Edun, Mrs. Lawal Omotayo Elizabeth, Mr. Ayinla Olatunbosun Kazeem, Mrs. Adeyemi Asake Alajede, Mr. Balogun Hassan Kehinde, Mrs. Justina Ugiagbe, Mrs. Idowu Iyabo Daranijo, Mrs. Didel Cecilia John, Mrs. Jegede Florence Lola, Mr. Austin Ayeni, Mr. Alade Aderibigbe, and Dr. Bibilari.
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