By Jacinta Nwachukwu
Editorial staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday celebrated a retired Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Kayode Olaitan, for his numerous contributions to the growth and development of the agency.
Olaitan retired from the agency in February after attaining the mandatory age of 60.
NAN reports that he was a director/managing director in the editorial department before his redeployment to the planning, research and statistics department, from where he retired as director.
In their tributes, the staff members described Olaitan as a passionate, impactful, kind, humble and accommodating person, all of which he exhibited while in service.
The Editor-in-Chief, Mr Mufutau Ojo, said he had known Olaitan for over 20 years, describing him as unique and compassionate.
“He is a model of integrity and he has an impeccable character. So I pray that the new chapter of your life will be more prosperous,” Ojo said.
Mrs Ese Williams, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief, who opened the floodgate of tributes, narrated how she had a good working relationship with the retired director, describing him as a good mentor.
“He was always encouraging me to do the work. I thank God that he is retiring in good health,” Williams said.
Martha Agas, an editor, described Mr Olaitan as a great mentor, whose kindness and gentle personality provided an enabling environment for journalists to write quality reports.
“He’s a mentor you can talk to easily, and he’ll give you constructive criticism. He also supervised me in my fellowship projects and I greatly appreciate him for that.”
The Chairman of NUJ NAN Chapel, Mr Collins Hammer, also described Olaitan as gentle and calm even in stormy situations.
Hammer said that no matter the provocation Olaitan confronted, he remained humble and God-fearing.
Similarly, the Head of Features Desk, Mr Chijioke Okoronkwo, said that Olaitan mentored him in feature writing and helped him navigate newsroom pressure in his discharge of duties.
He said that this had helped him hone his skills to perform professionally in a competitive media space.
NAN reports that other journalists also took turns to extol the virtues of the retired director who joined the service of the agency in 2007.
In his response, Olaitan expressed appreciation to his former colleagues and the leadership of the editorial department for finding him worthy of being celebrated.
“Journalism is our bond, hence the need for us to continue to communicate as a family.
“In NAN, we see ourselves as family members; we still read things; we still communicate. I want that bond to continue. I thank you for your prayers and the honour.
“And I want to pray that as I retired in good health, you also will retire in even better health condition.
“It’s all what we are asking from God and so I’m very grateful. I will always call on any of you to share ideas and see how we can move forward,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
