It was a celebration galore, as Senior Lecturer with the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Dr. (Mrs) Rosemary Fehintoluwa Saidu marked her official retirement from the university.
The event, which coincided with her 65th birthday celebration-cum-book launch, took place on Monday 16th May, 2022 at the Convocation Arena of the University’s headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
“I, Dr. (Mrs.) Rosemary Saidu, stand here this morning to thank you all for being present in my retirement, birthday and book launch programme, she said while appreciating her invitees for honouring her invitation.
“I started the journey of world of work since 1976 immediately after secondary education as an auxiliary teacher and never stopped till today 16th May, 2022 at age 65.
“I am retiring as a senior lecturer in this great citadel of learning. I am indeed grateful to God almighty who showed me the right career since I was a young child.
“My earnest desires is to be a teacher and have many children. I blessed God for granting me my heart desires. By His grace am fulfilled in life,” Saidu said.
Speaking further, Saidu, who is full of praises to God for guiding her through thick and thin, said she has every reason to glorify God adding that “from childhood till this moment, God has been faithful to me and I thanked Him (God) for His faithfulness.”
While narrating her experiences, the erudite scholar who has served NOUN in different capacities as director of study centres said “when you are hardworking a lot of people will not really like you but what you need to do is just to be focused; you know that you are accountable to God and and also to your employer”.
While advising the members of staff and the University community, the Ogori-born academician said, “the message I have for them is that they should try as much as possible to make sure that the work given to them, they do it diligently”.
Continuing, Dr. Saidu added that “God in heaven is watching whatever we are doing on earth. It is not the salary we collect, God is watching us because at the end of the day,we are going to give account to God”.
Speaking on her next plan after retirement, the excited celebrant said,” well, there are many things. Just yesterday, I did my freedom. Learnt tailoring and in January before I left Lagos to come back to prepare for my retirement, I started poultry; I reared some chickens, I sold one for 8,000 naira”.
“I have papers, if there is still opportunity, I may go back to private universities for lecturing”, Dr. Saidu said.
The event which was celebrated amidst prayers, praises, encomiums and commendations was attended by the VC, NOUN Prof. Olufemi Peters ably represented by the DVC Academic, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, Dean, Faculty of Education, represented by the Deputy Dean, Dr. Josiah Owolabi, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Moses Etila Shaibu, members of staff of the Faculty of Education, family members, brethren, friends, well-wishers among other dignitaries.
Dr. Rosemary Fehintoluwa Saidu who joined the service of NOUN in 2008 started her academic journey at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Soba, Zaria. Thereafter, she obtained her Teachers Grade II and proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria for her NCE. After NCE, she headed to the University of Ilorin for her First Degree and thereafter proceeded to the University of Lagos for her Masters Degree. In 2008, she bagged her Ph.D from the University of Ilorin.
