Education

ARPSSON: We Refuse To Be Thrown Into Dustbin – Eld. Adeyemi

Published

4 years ago

Dec 13, 2020.

Stephen Jesuwale

By Babatunde Kaka

– Cooperative Societies Have Done a Lot In Our Lives.

– ARPSSON, Epe Branch, Celebrates the Second Anniversary

Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ARPSSON), Epe Branch, have expressed satisfaction with the association.

The retired principals expressed their contention while celebrating the second anniversary and get-together of the association at the residence of its Chairman, Elder O.S Adeyemi at Femi Adeyemi Avenue, Mojoda Epe, Lagos.

The event was said to be of an avenue for retired principals, who have no doubt successfully served the entire Epe education community and the state at large, to unwind, relax and felicitate.

Speaking with Ekohotblog, an Elder, Femi Adeyemi, the Epe ARPSSON Chairman who also doubles as Ora CDA Chairman, highlighted the essence of the gathering which he said was borne out of their resolve not to be forgotten after serving the State meritoriously for decades.

“This association came on board sometimes in 2017 and some well-meaning Directors and Retired Principals felt the need to come together as a body because in this clime when you retire, you are forgotten and thrown to the dust bin of history but we refuse to be thrown into the dustbin of history because we are still very relevant to the educational upgrading, moral upbringing of our children in Lagos and Nigeria at large and humanity because we are leaders by every right in the church, mosque, and community.

“The sole purpose is to come together to felicitate with ourselves, to cross-fertilize ideas, to discuss issues that are germane to the development and welfare of members like the issue of pension that is not being paid on time.

“We assist ourselves like during the COVID lockdown, we distributed palliatives to retirees who have not collected a dime for up to three or four years,” he said.

He further admonished soon-to-be-retired Principals in the Epe branch to be a part of the association stating that such gatherings would be an avenue to improve their health.

He added that there are various challenges encountered during retirement which he described as unbearable.

“I will implore those people that are going out of service to join us. Coming together felicitating, interacting, talking, dancing and playing games means a lot to our health.

“Sincerely, it is not always easy when you retire without getting paid for years but God has been so good to us because teachers generally know how to save while in service.

“I give kudos to all those teachers that started Cooperative Societies, it has done a lot of wonders in our lives. As a result of being a member of one Cooperative Society or the other, we rely on a few sum of money saved, we rely on the goodwill of our children but sincerely, it has not been easy.

“My appeal to our colleagues that are still in service to find something doing by the side, They should not solely depend on government because having nothing for up to three years can be killing. When I retired, I did a little bit of farming, trading and that is how we keep ends meet,” he added.

The Chairman of ARPSSON, Gbemi Olaniyi, in his brief address expressed satisfaction towards the organizers of the event, describing it as the right thing to do.

He, however, prayed for the welfare of members and expressed how delighted he was to be in the gathering.

Also, the ANCOPSS and NUT Epe branch chairpersons, Mrs Jonah & Comrade Ogunleye Julius, in their goodwill messages admonished members to endeavour to invite their family members in subsequent editions as the event was an avenue to relax and have fun.

The event which made the attendant glad was chaired by erudite educationist and administrator per excellence, Education District III former Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Olaniyi.

Personnel in attendance include Epe ANCOPSS Chairperson, Mrs Jonah and her secretary, Prince Segun Oshinaike, the NUT Epe Branch Chairman, Comrade Julius and his Secretary, Sanni.

Other notable members who graced the event are Oladoye, Azeez, Idowu, Peter-Koyi, Mosebolatan, Oludipe, Akinrinmade, Adeyemi, Otemuyiwa, Shittu ( SAICO ), Fakomaya, Asomba, Akanji, Abdullahi, Ogundijo amongst others.

The event featured fun and exciting games like ” The highest goal scorer” and ” In search of my mate”, music, dance, and entertainment of guests.