Kwara state government has urged the out-gone Director of Sports, Mallam Tunde Kazeem not to relent in rendering services to the state anytime occasion demands for it, as the state will rely on his valuable experience to move forward in sports.
The Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Kayode Alabi, made the appeal on Wednesday during the retirement thanksgiving staged to celebrate meritorious service and exit of the Director of Sports, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Mr. Alabi, who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Joana Nnazua Kolo, described Coach Kazeem as a versatile sports manager whose experience and exposure will always be demanded anywhere in the world.
He said that the state cannot afford to lose the resourcefulness of the out-gone Director, urging him to always make himself available whenever the need arises to render services to the state.
He advised Coach Kazeem not to see his retirement as the end of his engagement with the state’s service, enjoining him to always keep the qualities up.
He congratulated Coach Kazeem on a happy retirement, which he ascribed to God’s grace.
Family, friends and sports stakeholders in and ouside the state used the occasion to rain encomiums on Coach Kazeem, as he officially bows out of service.
In the well attended programme, the creme dela creme of the sports fraternity in the state of Harmony converged to celebrate with the outgoing Director.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports, Barrister Iyabo Banire in her speech, lauded the Coach Kazeem for his meritorious service to the state, describing him as a pleasant man and a sports administrator per excellence.
The former Director led the state to many National Sports Festivals as an athlete, coach and Administrator.
In his remarks, Coach Kazeem thanked God for his life especially for making him reach the height, and making the occasion a reality. He also appreciated all those who stood behind him during his service years, and in the actualization of the befitting thanksgiving ceremony on his retirement.
The badminton trained Coach, who amassed a lot of trophies and accolades in his scintillating career thanked the management and staff of the Kwara State Sports Council, adding that their support made all his achievements a reality.
Delivering his lecture titled ‘Life After Retirement’ at the occasion, Elder Chief Ayobola Samuel noted that retirement is reality similar to a ‘time to be born and a time to die’ and like many other persons, the time has come for Coach Kazeem to leave service.
While emphasizing on some of the realities of retirement like reduction of income, loneliness, boredom and stress, the retired Permanent Secretary also revealed some coping strategies among which he mentioned to include planning, creation of additional source of income and updating ones knowledge, which he believed will help the retiree to have a blissful retirement.
Chief Ayodeji Shamo, the General Manager of Sports Council, Ekiti State who represented the Director of Sports Forum in Nigeria, noted that Coach Tunde Kazeem who was the Chairman of the Forum for eight years will be greatly missed.
In his special prayer for the outgoing Director, Professor Assayouti Shuaib Ologele Ndarabi prayed that Almighty Allah’s favour which has sustained Coach Kazeem throughout his service will not depart him and his household.
Among many other guests at the occasion who also deliver goodwill messages were Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Ejidike, Chairman Kwara United FC, Mr. Kumbi Titiloye, Chairman of Chairmen of Sports Associations, Alhaji Tunde AbdulKareem and the General Manager of Radio Kwara, Mr. Kayode Aremu.
Others include the Director of Football, ABS FC, Alloy Chukwumeka, Chief Oladimeji Thompson, former Kwara United Chairman, Barrister Salihu Bamidele Aluko, former Director of Sports, Mrs. Serah Bolaji Esan, former Commissioners for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Kayode Towoju and Mr. Hameed Adio among others. he was also presented with various gifts and presents, in appreciation of his services.
The ceremony witnessed the exhibition of different sports like taekwondo, para-soccer, para-table tennis, karate and badminton.
Meanwhile, a new Director of Sports, Coach Alarape Ibrahim Atanda has since taken over the reigns of the Council.
