Penpushing member, Ronald Dansu retires gloriously from independent national electoral commission

Damilare Adeleye (Intern)

A member of Penpushing platform, Ronald Dansu, a Public Affairs Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ogun State has gloriously retired after a fulfilling and meritorious service.

Penpushing reports that Dansu was honoured by the commission on Saturday alongside other retirees at a colourful ceremony held at the headquarters located along Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

The ceremony was attended by senior management staff including Mr. Thomas Olawuyi, Mrs. Oyekemi Abai, Mr. Lawrence Aladetoyinbo, Barrister Bosede Ogunlare, Mr. Eniola Agunloye, and Mr. Joseph Omotiloye, alongside various electoral officers across the state.

Penpushing further reports that, the event was equally marked with joy, cheers and expressions of gratitude to God for successful years of service of the retired image maker of the commission, while there was presentation of gifts.

The retiree, a committed member of Penpushing platform in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude to God for granting him strength to surmount the numerous challenges encountered during his years in service.

“I appreciate Almighty God for giving me this opportunity to stand before you this afternoon. I remember those years that we were employed by INEC. We started as casual workers, We called it month to month system’, he stated.

‘If you collect salary this month, but not given the following month, you’re gone. We faced so many challenges which I have to share with you. Is it staff ganging up against staff in the presence of the politicians. Is it challenges in the office and other things. But we thank God that we’ve passed through all those hurdles’, Dansu said.

Penpushing also reports that the retired official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) equally remembered colleagues who passed away while in active service, praying for their eternal rest.

“I thank God because many people that we started together, they are gone. I can mention just few like John, Lamodi, so many people like that have gone. It is not that they could not pray, it’s just the grace of God. Even before the 2023 elections, we lost one of our drivers. May his soul rest in perfect peace and other departed souls’ he prayed.

The former Public Affairs Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Ogun State further stressed that diligence and commitment attract divine reward.

“What I want to bring out is that whatever we are doing, do it well. If you are a messenger, message well. If you are a cleaner, clean well. God is somewhere looking for you at your work’, he added

Penpushing reports that Dansu pledged continued loyalty to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affirming that the establishment played a pivotal role in shaping his public identity.

“A lot of programs that are going on in media that we used to come in to defend the commission anytime. I don’t need to take permission from anybody before I defend the commission because if not because of the commission, nobody will know me,” he stated.

The retiree described his retirement as fulfilling, having gathered vast experience during his years in the electoral umpire, adding that passing through the commission had made him to acquire adequate experiences

“And INEC has made me had experience of so many things. And it is good to be patient because anything doing with public you have to be patient and open to everyone’, Dansu emphasised

Penpushing further reports that he advised serving staff to remain patient, committed and to continually improve themselves academically and professionally within the electoral system, and on the credibility of the commission, he noted that the commission has made remarkable progress through the adoption of technology.

“INEC has been improving in all aspects of the activities that it has been doing. We have a register before that was being handwritten. But now, everything has been computerized and I know that in the subsequent election INEC will improve on so many of the exercises,” he stated.

Penpushing also reports that Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Feyijimi Saseyi, earlier in her speech charged retiring staff  not to see retirement as the end of life, but rather as a leverage for new opportunities and fresh beginnings.

The Commissioner congratulated the retirees, describing the exit from service as a moment of fulfilment, joy and celebration, adding that she is happy for being alive and retired well

“I congratulate you and I celebrate with you. I’m happy that you’re alive. Some of you that cannot make it you’ve sent either your son or your daughter or your representatives. It’s a thing of joy that we’re being celebrated’.

‘It’s a thing of joy that you have retired well. It’s a thing of joy that we’re not standing here today and saying let’s say a minute silence in respect of anyone of us. It is a thing to be grateful to the Almighty God for. I pray that as many as are still in service and looking forward to a day like this, God will honor your desires and your prayers in Jesus’ name,” she remarked.

Penpushing reports that Saseyi urged the retirees to embrace forgiveness, reconciliation and love, stressing the need to leave the commission without bitterness or unresolved grievances.

“Let your heart be opened. Feel free, enjoy yourself and then whatever token is extended to you just receive it with love and let’s pray for ourselves. INEC is not the end of our journey’, she stated.

‘Many of you may have left now you may still come back like maybe how God did in my own. I was just a week to finish the retirement and they gave me this letter. So, anything can happen. If you have offended someone this is the time for us to know to call back what we may have done to ourselves in the past because you don’t know what may happen in the next minute’.

‘Let’s not go out of INEC with heartbreak. Let’s not go out of INEC with heartbreak. Let’s not go out of INEC with unforgiveness. Let’s go with love. No one of us is perfect, there might be moments of disagreements. This is the time to go back. Because God is our maker, He expects us to forgive ourselves.”

Penpushing further reports that she emphasised on expressing gratitude to God for the gift of life, describing that the ceremony as a moment to rejoice and to let go of past hurts and embrace unity.

“So, for the fact that we are on earth today and we are talking to ourselves it’s the grace of God. Let’s realize that whatever is happening to us let’s try and put the almighty God first. I’m happy that we are here together and I want us to enjoy for every moment of it. No heartbreak. No disappointment. No bitterness. All of us should move together and rejoice that God has appointed today to be a day of celebration for us.”

Penpushing also reports that the Administrative Secretary of Osun State, Mrs Victoria Adelusi, who was recently redeployed from Ogun State, speaking at the event described the electoral commissioner as an exemplary leader whose career progression remains worthy of emulation.

“She will always guide us and mentor us. She will always try to strengthen the relationship between us. Ma, I thank you. I also thank the management. We are together, we are one family and we still continue to maintain it, she said.

Penpushing reports that Adelusi advised the retirees to prioritise their health and well-being in order to enjoy the rewards of their 35 years of meritorious service.

“Today, you retire, I implore you to take proper care of your health so that you can enjoy what you’ve labored for. Make yourself happy. Play with your grandchildren. You’ve served, enjoy yourself. Yes, you’ve worked, so this is the time for you to enjoy what you’ve suffered for and play with your grandchildren’, she stated.

Penpushing further reports that Adelusi commended the organisers of the ceremony and urged serving staff to remain dedicated to the ideals and vision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We that are still in the commission, we still have a long way to go. We will continue to be committed to this work. We will continue to cooperate with our bosses, isn’t it. Yes, we will still continue to cooperate with them. So that the vision of the commission will come to pass. The organisers of the program, you will not be weak, you will not be weary, but we continue to shine,” she added.

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