Ikorodu stands still for BensonN@80

Dignitaries and people from all walks of life joyfully converged on Ikorodu on the Saturday 20th of July to celebrate Mrs. Oluwagbemiga Olabisi Temidayo Benson on the occasion of her Oak Jubilee. The pioneer and first Executive Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board LASUBEB (Nov 2005-July 2008) also served in different capacities in a glittering career that spanned 35 years – Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government (Dec.1996-March1997); Director, Lagos State Civil Service Commission (April 1997-July1999); Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education (July 1999-October 2001); Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Pension Office of the Lagos State Ministry of Establishment Pension and Training (2001-2003); Permanent Secretary Civil Service Pension Office of the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget (2003-2004) The two-part celebration kicked off with Community Hymn Singing and Thanksgiving held at Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral, Ita-Elewa; a programme dedicated by the celebrant to raise funds towards completion of Sunday School Hall within the premises of the church. Thereafter, guests moved to the Town Hall for the reception during which a memorabilia: ON THE MARBLE, a mini biographic work that captures Mrs. Benson in rich prose and vivid photographic images on the home front and her legacies at work as well as her humanitarian and societal engagements was unveiled. At 80, OOT, as she is fondly called started her carrier journey in the classroom as a teacher then moved on into the administrative cadre in the service of Lagos State where she stood out as a good manager of human resource and a seasoned administrator with a knack for attention to details during her career years earned her the sobriquet “SCIENTIFICALLY”The elated celebrant says she has every cause to thank God for His infinite care and guidance over the years “God has been awesomely been good to me. I simply can’t thank God enough for the priviledge granted me to live to this ripe old age in excellent. Reading through tributes that have come my way from my children, my siblings, members of my family, friends, colleagues as well younger officers in service and all others our path had crossed, have repeatedly brought a smile of appreciation to my face.”