There is nothing spectacular about her. Yet, there is something elusive about her, requiring more than breezy journalistic textuality. For now, however, nothing more than the breezy is possible or doable because anything else can be involving.
She has always come up as the model in propriety and decency, from her days as an undergraduate before becoming a housewife, a federal civil servant and an activist of the Church. She gave her best to each of the domains as there were no complaints against her from any of the quarters.
What was unclear was whether life had overwhelmed her to come to terms with marginal reality and do only what she could. But the good news now is that she never cave in to anything like that. She kept the flag of decency at a very high altitude throughout.
How did Intervention know this? Well, she reached retirement age of 60 last January and her co-workers organised a send -forth event to mark her departure. The verdict all came in superlatives from which the inference that nothing made her to change her walking steps from that of a qualitative human being.
Among the testimonies was where one said: “To an exceptional Amazon, a true daughter of Zion—dedicated, committed, disciplined, and a woman of integrity. We are deeply grateful to God Almighty for the gift of you.
Since I left Yewa South as a Batch A corps member in 2006, we have sustained this relationship, and I truly cherish every moment shared with you. Today marks a double celebration, and we thank God for preserving your life in good health to witness this day. My prayer for you is that God’s increase upon your life shall know no bounds. You will live to enjoy the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Thank you for being you. Hearty congratulations, Ma. God bless you, Ma”
Another one then said: “Today stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness and His unwavering promises fulfilled in your life. Ma, my interactions with you have exemplified a life worth emulating in every regard. Your dedication to service has left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of working alongside you. Thank you for your distinguished service to God and to humanity. As you embark on this new chapter, I pray it will be abundantly filled with God’s peace, grace, and favour. May the Lord grant you vibrant health and strength to fully enjoy the well-deserved rewards of your years of faithful labour. Congratulations!!!
And yet another said: “Happy birthday ma. On behalf of the Batch B 2002/2003 set in Yewa South Local Government, I join other well-wishers across the globe to celebrate a great mentor, a diligent, upright, dedicated and a special being who sacrificed all her time, resources and comfort for the service of our great nation Nigeria. May this special day of your 60th birthday and retirement bring you joy and happiness. May God reward all your labor of love to mankind and the nation. A big congratulations to my former boss. We love you!”
And it went on and on and on like that. With no money and power to stage manage such an event or compel ex-fellow workers to sing her praises, the outpouring could not but catch the attention of Intervention from far away Ogun State from where she is retiring from the service of the NYSC as an Assistant Director.
Considering the generational, gender, regional, ethnic and class diversity involved, Intervention cannot help saying, ‘Congratulations to a great citizen and her compatriots!
