NIEPA Staff Celebrate Unity at Historic Year-End Gathering

ONDO, NIGERIA — The New Council Chamber was filled with an atmosphere of joy and gratitude today as the Staff of the Office of the Director General of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) held a historic year-end get-together. The event brought together internal units, including the Coordinator of Programmes and Liaison Office, SERVICOM, Public Relations, Internal Audit, and Procurement, to celebrate a year of significant milestones and professional harmony.

Before offering his main remarks, Mr. Amos Amoo took a moment to formally acknowledge the leadership and unwavering support of the Acting Director General, Dr. David Shofoyeke. He expressed deep appreciation to the Acting D-G for granting permission for the occasion and commended his admirable leadership qualities, which have greatly impacted both the department and the Institute at large. Mr. Amoo emphasized that it was under such supportive leadership and through divine mercy that the team reached the end of the year without tragedies, celebrating the shared sense of protection that kept the staff together throughout 2025. During the session, the Deputy Director Audit (DDA) also officially welcomed new members to the office, including Mrs. Abubakar Latifah and Mrs. Olusola Oloyede, praising their immediate contributions to the team’s success.

The reflection session opened with contributions from Dr. Taiwo Omotayo and Mrs. Ifedayo Semudara, who highlighted the unique culture of brotherhood and unity that defines the office. They noted that the Staff of the Office of the Director General operate with a “family spirit,” maintaining professional harmony devoid of the friction often found in other settings. Mr. Bodunde Tenabe, the New Media Officer who anchored the occasion, also spoke on this theme, emphasizing that the team operates as a single, synchronized family where senior and junior colleagues share mutual respect and a “free mind”.

Addressing strategic goals, Mr. Amos Amoo and Mr. Kode Adekunle clarified the role of the Audit unit as a partner to management rather than a policing entity. They announced plans for 2026 to include in-house sensitization workshops for all units on proper financial retirement procedures and the necessity of following due process. Mr. Adekunle stressed that ensuring transparency through vetted documentation is essential for the Institute’s long-term fiscal health.

The gathering celebrated the seamless cooperation existing across religious and tribal backgrounds within the office. As the event drew to a close, the team prepared for a busy 2026 involving major projects with UNESCO and UNICEF. In his closing remarks, Mr. Bodunde Tenabe concluded the event with a call for continued synchronization, aptly stating: “We are the institute for planning and administration, and today we showed that we also know how to plan for joy!”.