Mr Olawale Jokotoye, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has bowed out of the services of the agency, having attained the age of 60.
Jokotoye, until his retirement on Friday, was the Ogun Correspondent of NAN.
At a send-off ceremony organised for him in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Mr Olawale Alabi, the Zonal Manager (ZM), NAN Ibadan Zonal Office, described Jokotoye as a thoroughbred professional.
Alabi described the former Ogun correspondent as a committed and hardworking official, whose quota contributed to the agency’s development.
“He was a committed member of staff of the agency. My mind starts going to when I will be retiring.
“I knew Jokotoye when I used to come home from the Abuja office to Abeokuta. He is humble – the humility I see in him is wonderful,” he said.
The ZM urged other members of staff to be dedicated to duty, saying that hard work and diligence pay at the end of the day.
“We wish him all the best and pray God to continue to bless him. After working for 35 years, there’s need to relax and enjoy life,” he said.
Mrs Toluwani Ajibade, NAN Marketing Manager in Ogun, described Jokotoye as a friend, brother, boss and a man of integrity, always applying wisdom in handling issues.
Ajibade prayed that Jokotoye would live long enough to enjoy his retirement.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Olayinka Olukoya, the Ogun Correspondent of the Nigerian Tribune, described Jokotoye as a team player, who projected the image of NAN wherever he found himself.
Colleagues who had worked with him in Abeokuta also eulogised his leadership qualities.
They appreciated his ability to supervise reporters under his watch effectively.
While appreciating the reception organised in his honour, Jokotoye acknowledged the support he received from his senior and junior colleagues.
According to him, the support made him a successful man at work.
“Everyone is unique to me and I acknowledge the truth that God has a purpose of bringing every one of us together,” he said.
He appreciated the management of the agency, saying that NAN had always been blessed with core professionals.
