By Musa U. Terrang, MNIPR
It was an awesome evening yesterday, Thursday, the 3rd of August, 2023 as the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) hosts the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha, CFR to a Send-off Dinner at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja FCT.
The event made the Congress Hall of the Transcorp full to its capacity as all the former ministers of the Muhammadu Buhari administration were in attendance with Sen. Hadi Sirika former minister of Aviation spoke on their behalf at the event and H.E, Amb. Babagana Kingibe GCON, and Alh. Ahmed Yayale the former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation too were present, the former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON was the Special Guest of Honour, while the Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Muhammadu Barkindo, Ph.D, CFR was the Royal Father of the day, Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR was sighted too at the event and SGF, Sen. George Akume who was the Chief Host with numerous heads of inter-ministerial agencies & departments, service chiefs and other captains of industries in attendance.
The Send-off Dinner started at exactly 5.30pm and was full of eulogies, goodwill messages and commendations with lots of nostalgias during their speeches in honour of the celebrant for distinguished service rendered to the Nation while holding sway as the SGF; most especially as the Chairman of the dreaded COVID-19, to being two times Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committees and to his unique contributions to the peaceful coexistence and administrative achievements of the last administration.
The Lamido of Adamawa who was represented by the Dujuma of Adamawa Alh. Musa Halilu said, ‘’Boss Mustapha has not disappoint Adamawa State and the emirate.
He said the State is very much proud of him, while Amb. Kingibe who spoke on behalf of the Ex-SGFs said, ‘’Boss’ accomplishments as the SGF was highly commendable, described how Adamawa State missed such development opportunity over 20 years ago when he lost the governorship race.’’
The former Vice President Osibanjo, also extolled the good virtues of the ex-SGF, describing him as a thorough administrator and a good man.
The SGF Akume, during his remarks, described Boss as a unique administrator that has done commendably well and made the nation proud.’’
During his remarks, the celebrant, Boss Mustapha, felt humbled and highly elated seeing such beautifully made and well attended send-off dinner reception in his honour with lots of heart-warming-goodwill messages from statesman and women of different walks of life.
Barr. Boss seized the opportunity to register his sincere appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari who gave him the oppourtunuty to serve in his administration as the SGF and also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his good leadership also thanked the organisers of the event.
Mr. Mustapha said his regrets while serving as the SGF was that ‘’I could not create time to socialise with my permanent secretaries, directors and staff due to tight office works and schedule because I could not have the opportunity to extend relationship beyond office nor to family members of my permanent secretaries due to the demanding responsibilities of the office.
He further lament that throughout his over five years and half term in office, there was never a time they had a gatethered to socialise and douse the office tension.
He said both him and his permanent secretaries have never gone on annual leave nor left the office beyond seven days period
Mustapha also said that many a times as SGF he leaves office at 2am to 3am and resume few hours later of 8am for work.
“These has mostly being the office schedule,”he said.
As parts of his speech, he gave the credits of his success in office to the resilience and support he got from staff of the OSGF and further enjoined the staff of the OSGF to please extend similar gesture if not more to his successor, Sen. Akume to succeed.
Some of the highlights of the events were the reading of his citation, presentation of Special Honourary Gift by the Federal Government to the former SGF Boss Mustapha which was presented to him alongside his wife, Mrs Funmilayo Boss Mustapha by SGF, Akume with lots of goodwill messages, dances, food and drinks to his honour.