CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL GET-TOGETHER OF THE BODY OF RETIRED TUTORS GENERAL, EKITI STATE, HELD AT THE ASUSS HALL, ASUSS SECRETARIAT, OFF AJEBAMIDELE, IKERE ROAD, ADO-EKITI, ON MARCH 11, 2026
Distinguished elders
Highly esteemed retired and serving Tutors General
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen.
I warmly welcome you all to this year Annual Get-Together of the Body of Retired Tutors General of Ekiti State. It is indeed a great privilege and a moment of joy for us to gather once again in fellowship, reflection, and celebration of our shared heritage and professional journey. First and foremost, we give all glory and honour to the Almighty God, the giver and sustainer of life, who in His infinite mercy has preserved us to witness yet another edition of this noble gathering.
Permit me to sincerely appreciate the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Ekiti State Branch, ably led by Comrade Olúṣọlá Adigun, for their remarkable support towards the success of this year’s get-together. Beyond graciously fulfilling their promise to make this hall available to us free of charge, they pleasantly surprised us with the generous provision of food, pepper soup, water, and malt drinks. Their kindness and solidarity are deeply appreciated, and we remain profoundly grateful for this gesture of goodwill.
It is also on record that the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) graciously made their hall available free of charge for the hosting of last year edition of our get-together. In addition, we received financial support from ANCOPSS, ASUSS, and NUT, for which we are sincerely thankful.
This note of appreciation will not be complete without mentioning the Interactive Ceremony organised for us on September 9 last year by the Ekiti State Branch of ASUSS. It was the first of its kind in Ekiti State and remains a memorable demonstration of their respect and recognition for retired Tutors General. Once again, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all these bodies for their continued support, goodwill, and solidarity. Their gestures will always be remembered and cherished.
Today’s gathering is more than a reunion; it is a celebration of legacy. Each one of us seated here has contributed immensely to the growth, stability, and development of education in Ekiti State. As Tutors General during our active years, we carried the weighty responsibility of supervising schools, guiding principals and teachers, mentoring young administrators, and ensuring that standards of discipline and academic excellence were maintained in our educational system. Through dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment, we helped nurture generations of students who today are contributing meaningfully to the development of our nation and the global community. Our years of service were not without challenges. There were policy changes, administrative pressures, limited resources, and evolving educational demands. We persevered because we understood that education remains the foundation upon which the progress of any society is built.
Our Annual Get-Together therefore provides us with a valuable opportunity to strengthen the bonds that unite us, to reflect on the impact of our years of service, and to share experiences that can continue to guide younger generations of educators and administrators. Retirement, as we know, is not a withdrawal from relevance; rather, it is a transition into a new phase of influence where our wisdom, experience, and counsel remain highly valuable to society.
Distinguished colleagues, as we gather today, we cannot ignore the realities of the times in which we live. Our dear nation, Nigeria, like many countries across the world, is passing through a period of economic strain, political tension, and security challenges. Many families are grappling with the rising cost of living, communities are yearning for greater peace and stability, and citizens are looking forward to renewed hope for a more prosperous future.
Beyond our national borders, global events are also shaping the economic climate. The ongoing tensions and conflicts in the Middle East have begun to affect global economic stability, particularly in the area of energy supply and crude oil prices. As we know, such developments often have ripple effects on economies around the world, including Nigeria.
Two weeks into the war, we have started experiencing an increase in petrol prices with its influence on transportation costs and the general cost of goods and services. However, in the face of these realities, we must remain hopeful and resilient. Nigeria has passed through difficult periods before and has always emerged stronger. The strength of our nation lies not only in its resources but also in the resilience, faith, and determination of its people.
As elder statesmen and women in the education sector, our role remains important even in retirement. Society still looks up to us as mentors, advisers, and custodians of wisdom. In times like these, our voices of experience and moderation are needed to guide the younger generation, encourage responsible leadership, and promote values of integrity, patriotism, and service. Let us therefore continue to inspire hope in our families, our communities, and our nation. Let us encourage our younger colleagues in the education sector to remain committed to excellence, discipline, and moral uprightness. Above all, let us continue to pray for our dear country, trusting that with unity, good leadership, and the grace of God, Nigeria will overcome her present challenges and move toward greater stability and prosperity.
Distinguished members, as we look ahead, our dear state is gradually moving toward another important democratic exercise—the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Elections in any democratic society are critical moments that shape the direction of governance and development. As respected elders and leaders in our communities, we have a responsibility to encourage peaceful participation, political tolerance, and respect for democratic values.
We must advise our children, students, and community members to approach the electoral process with maturity, discipline, and a sense of civic responsibility. Politics should never divide our communities or destroy the peace for which Ekiti State is known. Rather, elections should serve as an opportunity for citizens to freely express their choice in an atmosphere of fairness, peace, and mutual respect.
Let us therefore use our influence to promote peace before, during, and after the election. Let us encourage issue-based campaigns, respect for the rule of law, and acceptance of credible outcomes. Above all, we must remind our people that the unity, progress, and stability of Ekiti State are far more important than individual political interests. Ekiti State has long been celebrated as the Fountain of Knowledge, and we are proud to have been among those who helped to nurture and sustain that reputation. Our collective efforts over the years have contributed to the academic excellence and moral standards that our state is widely known for. Even in retirement, we must remain ambassadors of those values wherever we find ourselves.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have consistently presented our demands to the government, yet we have not received any favourable response. At this meeting, we shall render an account of our stewardship and deliberate on possible strategies for achieving our goals. As our elders wisely say, “Ti iná kò bá tán l’áṣọ, ẹ̀jẹ̀ kò lè tán léèkán.” This reminds us that our efforts must remain steadfast and sustained until our concerns are adequately addressed.
On behalf of the executive and the planning committee, I wish to express sincere appreciation to all members who have made the effort to attend this year gathering. Your presence demonstrates the enduring unity and commitment that define this noble body. I also commend those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the successful organization of this event.
As we fellowship together today, may our discussions be enriching, our memories refreshing, and our interactions strengthen the bonds that unite us as colleagues, friends, and partners in the noble service of education.
Once again, I warmly welcome you all.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Chief Martins Temitayo Ilori
Chairman
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