Anthony Joshua's Uncle, Sagamu LG Chairman, Others Celebrate Engr. Fabowale ...As He Retires From Service.

 Anthony Joshua's Uncle, Sagamu LG Chairman, Others Celebrate Engr. Fabowale 

...As He Retires From Service.

By Charles Segun Adegbite 

The Head of the family of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, in Sagamu, Professor Richard Adekunle Joshua,  joined the Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Ogbeni Afolabi Odulate, and others on Monday to celebrate Engr. Israel Oyewole Fawole as he retired from the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission after many years of meritorious service.

 An Octogenarian and internationally renown professor of Veterinary Medicine who is the senior brother of Anthony Joshua's father, came to the event in white Agbada attire with his wife to grace the occasion and waited patiently till the event ended around 3pm. 

The presence of this great veterinary surgeon who retired from the University of Ibadan many years ago and became a consultant to global institutions like IAEA, FAO, caused a bit stir when the Master of Ceremony, MC, at the event announced his presence and linked it with Anthony Joshua's knockout victory last Friday, to depict that after this retirement ceremony, Engr Fabowale still has a lot to contribute to the society.

 The Local Government chairman Odulate, led other Executive Council members to join government officials, families, friends and associates in celebrating Engr. Fabowale as he signed out from the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission at the Sagamu Local Government Secretariat where he was assigned to.

While expressing his satisfaction about the way the retiring staff member served as a career officer 

in the Sagamu Local Government the chairman said, "I sincerely appreciate your selfless service and loyalty. You have run a good race. And today we celebrate your achievements"

According to him, "Engineer Israel Fabowale is one of our most dedicated staff. Although I have sent my Vice Chairman earlier to represent me here because of my busy schedule. But it occurred to me that Baba Fabowale is not somebody I should miss his retirement service" 

"Our retiree has served this local government with full loyalty, diligence, and commitment. His hard work with a sense of responsibility have left a lasting legacy .Your impact will not be forgotten in this local government," he added.

"

Our retiree has served this local government with full loyalty, diligence, and commitment. His hard work with a sense of responsibility have left a lasting legacy .Your impact will not be forgotten in this local government,"

He disclosed how Fabowale, who they nicknamed "Baba Fab" advised him to embark on a legacy project that none of his predecessors had ever embarked on as a chairman, when he was inaugurated as the new Chairman of the Local Government.

He added that Engr. Fabowale told him repeatedly to embark on such a project that would be remembered for after his tenure. "Baba Fabowale would come to me and say, "Oga, mo fe ki e fi legacy sile. He always advises me to do what all my predecessors didn't do. 

  "Baba Fabowale, those things you always told me to do. I have implemented it. Thank you for this. You are a good man. The entire staff of the local government will really miss you."

   

Baba Fabowale, those things you always told me to do. I have implemented it. Thank you for this. You are a good man. The entire staff of the local government will really miss you."

    He then pointed towards a building under construction within the Secretariat which he pointed out as a proof to everyone that he was already carrying out the projects as advised.

L-R: The SLG Chairman Ogbeni Odulate with the Secretary to the Sagamu LG and others.

 Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Isiaka Salami, while representing the chairman before his arrival, expressed how he wished the retiring engineer could remain with them until the end of their own tenure because he doesn't pretend. "You can always get reliable information and good counsel from him." He explained. 

Tributes From People 

Comrade Ibikunle Ariyibi explained how caring"Baba Fab" was to everyone in the Local Government and how they would miss dearly. She explained a lot of challenges that the man faced and survived them. She described him as "Baba Youths" because of the way he related with all the young ones.

Engineer Odeyinka who explained how he joined the Local Government in 2023 and consequently the youngest in the Engineering Department of the Local Government, and was told that there was no seat for him to sit on, "Baba Fab" vacated his own seat and asked him to be sitting on it. 

He disclosed how much he impacted his life by giving him a lot of books on Engineering and road construction that helped him to become who he is today. He described him as very hardworking, bold, generous and lovely to work with.

Many others  also gave a lot of commendations and prayed that God will continue to be with him after his retirement. 

The chairman of the occasion, and Principal Partner at Felix Fagorala & Associates, Otunba Felix O. Fagorala who spoke thereafter simply confirmed all those tributes made about the retiring engineer as being true of his character and lifestyle. 

Other top government officials at the event included the Secretary to the Local Government, Director of General Services, The Governor's Liaison Officer(GLO) to the Sagamu Local Government Area, Hon. Tayo Olutayo, famously called Belgium, was also there to witness the occasion. 

 Other family members like: Former  Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspapers and The Sun, Mr Olayinka Fabowale,  The Olori Ebi (Family Head) Alhaji Saheed Akinwunmi, his son; Mr. Akintoye Fabowale, Elder Dada Malaika, among others, were also in attendance.

Speaking during an Interview with Successful People Magazine at the retirement ceremony,  Engineer Fabowale thanked God that the career he entered many years ago ended well and he is alive to celebrate it in good health with his wife, children and all those who attended the program. 

On the problems he faced while in service, he spoke about transfer and the challenges involved whenever they were transferred to remote areas. Other challenges have to do with the failure of the government to release funds to complete projects embarked on. 

He said one feels happy when a project you embarked on is completed. He pointed out that it was not all projects. But in the past administrations things like that make one get discouraged. 

He commended the current chairman, Ogbeni Odulate and his Executive Council members for their relentless efforts in making the local government area get better in terms of projects execution and administration of the local government. 

While fielding questions from Successful People Magazine on what he plans to do after retirement. He said he has already embarked on farming. And whatever progress made in that would lead to other things 

The ceremony climaxed with the cutting of the retirement cake by Engr. Fabowale and his wife, Mrs. Christiana Fabowale, amid prayers and goodwill messages.

Engr. Fabowale joined the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission after working with several reputable construction firms, including Technorate/Bicon Construction Limited, Ebun-Oluwa Construction Company Limited and Golden Gate Construction. Known for his principled lifestyle, he is the Grand Patron of Christ Cathedral African Church, Ijoku, Sagamu, an active member of the YMCA and a firm believer in moral discipline.

As colleagues and well-wishers departed the venue, a shared sentiment lingered: Engr. Fabowale may have retired from public service, but his legacy of loyalty, mentorship and integrity will continue to guide Sagamu Local Government for years to come.

 

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