… Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries Laud Retiree’s Glowing Attributes
Mrs. Oloruntoyin Ganiat Atekoja, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, on Thursday, January 23, 2025, gracefully bowed out of public service, having attained the statutory retirement age of 60 years amidst encomiums and accolades.
The ceremony organised by the Ministry and held at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, to mark her last day in office brought together dignitaries, including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Government Agencies, family members, colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, who paid glowing tributes to Mrs. Atekoja for her professionalism, dedication, and remarkable contributions to the development of Lagos State.
In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Mrs. Atekoja as a team player who contributed her quota to the development of the Ministry. She stated that the retiree’s passion, commitment and resourcefulness to duty will remain an enduring legacy.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, who spoke on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries at the event, acknowledged Mrs. Atekoja’s sense of duty, describing her as a seasoned professional and astute administrator.
“Mrs. Atekoja’s work ethic and thorough approach to public service are qualities worthy of emulation. Her ability to adapt, innovate, and lead has been a source of inspiration to many of us,” he said.
Mr. Ogundeko also highlighted her exceptional capacity for fostering inter-agency collaboration, which greatly enhanced service delivery across the state.
In her remarks, Mrs. Atekoja expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve Lagos State, pledging to continue contributing to society in other capacities.
She appreciated the leadership and staff of the Ministry for their cooperation, noting that her actions were driven by a commitment to the collective good.
The retired Permanent Secretary extended special appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for entrusting her with the privilege of serving as a Permanent Secretary and for his steadfast support for the tourism and hospitality sector.
Born on January 23, 1965, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Subair in Lagos Island, Mrs. Atekoja’s illustrious career is a testament to hard work, resilience, and a passion for excellence. She attended Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, for her secondary education and later completed her A-Levels at Federal Government College, Ilorin. She went on to earn her OND and HND from Yaba College of Technology, now Lagos State University of Technology.
Mrs. Atekoja joined the Lagos State Public Service in 2002 as a Senior Inspector of Taxes at the Board of Internal Revenue after an impactful career in the banking sector. Over the years, she served in various capacities across government establishments, including the State Treasury Office, Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos State House of Assembly Commission, Ministry of Establishments and Training, and Lagos State Public Works Corporation. Her appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture marked the pinnacle of her career, where she made a lasting impact before retiring statutorily.
A member of professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Mrs. Atekoja’s commitment to professionalism and excellence has been widely recognised. Her illustrious career serves as an inspiration to the younger generation, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate in the years to come.
