It was an awesome evening on Thursday, the 3rd of August, 2023 as the Federal Government under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) hosted the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha, to a Send-off Dinner at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The event made the Congress Hall of the Transcorp full to its capacity as all the former ministers of the Muhammadu Buhari administration were in attendance with Sen Hadi Sirika former minister of Aviation spoking on their behalf.
Amb. Babagana Kingibe and Alh. Ahmed Yayale, former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation too were present, with former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo being the Special Guest of Honour, while the Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Muhammadu Barkindo, was the Royal Father of the day.
Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, was sighted too at the event and SGF George Akume who was the Chief Host with numerous heads of inter-ministerial agencies & departments, service chiefs and other captains of industries in attendance.
The Send-off Dinner started at 5.30pm and was full of eulogies, goodwill messages and commendations with lots of nostalgias during their speeches in honour of the celebrant for distinguished service rendered to the Nation while holding sway as the SGF; most especially as the Chairman of COVID-19 committee, being two times Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committees, and to his unique contributions to the peaceful coexistence and administrative achievements of the last administration.
The Lamido of Adamawa who was represented by the Dujuma of Adamawa Alh. Musa Halilu said, ‘’Boss Mustapha did not disappoint Adamawa State and the emirate. The State is very much proud of him.”
Amb. Kingibe who spoke on behalf of the Ex-SGF said, ‘’Boss’ accomplishments as the SGF was highly commendable. It described how Adamawa State missed such development opportunity over 20 years ago when he lost the governorship race.’’
The former Vice President, Osibanjo also extolled the good virtues of the ex-SGF, describing him as a thorough administrator and a good man.
SGF Akume described Boss as a unique administrator who has done commendably well and made the nation proud.
In his remark, the celebrant, Boss Mustapha, said he was humbled and highly elated seeing such beautifully made and well attended send-off dinner reception in his honour with lots of heart-warming-goodwill messages from statesmen and women from different walks of life.
Boss seized the opportunity to register his sincere appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari who gave him the opportunity to serve in his administration as the SGF and also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his good leadership.
Boss Mustapha said his regret while serving as the SGF was that he could not create time to socialise with my permanent secretaries, directors and staff due to tight office schedule.
“I did not have the opportunity to extend relationship beyond office nor to family members of my permanent secretaries due to the demanding responsibilities of the office,” he said.
He stressed that throughout his over five years and half in office, there was never a time they had a get-together to socialize and douse the office tension.
He said both he and his permanent secretaries never went on annual leave nor left the office.
Mustapha also said that many a times as SGF he left office at 2am to 3am and resume few hours later at 8am for work.
“This was mostly the office schedule,” he said.
He gave the credits of his success in office to the resilience and support he got from staff of the OSGF and further enjoined the staff of the OSGF to extend similar gesture to his successor, Sen. Akume.
Some of the highlights of the events were the reading of his citation, presentation of Special Honourary Gift by the Federal Government to the former SGF Boss Mustapha, which was presented to him alongside his wife, Mrs Funmilayo Boss Mustapha by SGF, Akume with lots of goodwill messages, dances, food and drinks to his honour.
By Musa U. Terrang
