By Daniel Abe
It was a glorious day for the outgoing Director of Community and Social Development Services of Irewolede Local Council Development Area, Elder Moses Aniyikaye, as the Council boss, Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Bakare, Management Staff, Colleagues, friends and family members gathered on Tuesday to bid him farewell after a meritorious service to his fatherland as staff of Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission (ESLGSC).
“O Moses”, as fondly called, alongside his wife, Olayinka, were ushered into the council secretariat, venue of the event, with a cultural display, led by the Child Officer, Mrs Odunayo Ogundipe.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairperson of the council, Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Bakare, thanked God that the celebrant is alive to witness the occasion, noting that not everyone who started the race ended it.
The council boss described elder Aniyikaye as a diligent, forthright and dedicated officer whose impact will be felt as he leaves the service.
“When he told me in January that he is going to retire this year, I wish I could do something to make him stay longer till I finish my tenure because I am enjoying his services”
“He is very dedicated, committed and hardworking. I enjoy his responsiveness and native intelligence”, she said.
“I pray that his future will be far better and greater”.
In his goodwill message, former Ekiti Head of Service and current National Commissioner representing Ekiti State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Deji Ajayi, congratulated Aniyikaye on his retirement.
Represented by the Special Assistant to the governor of Ekiti State on Food Security, Hon. Kunle Arokodare, Ajayi described the outgoing Director as a “Consummate community leader” as he can socialize with all strata of the town
“That the honouree is retiring in a blaze of glory indicates his quality public life. His name is Aniyikaye, which indicates that he should be honoured worldwide, ” he said.
Director of Community and Social Services at the LGSC, Alhaji Adebayo Olofinkua, who spoke on behalf of other directors, reminisced over his working relationship with Aniyikaiye, describing him as a responsible man who never denied anyone his or her rights.
“Elder Aniyikaye is a very responsible man, never backbites. He deserved all the accolades”, he submitted.
On his part, Head of Local Council Administration, Mr Vincent Babatunde expressed delight and congratulated the retiree for successful years of service without blemish.
Family members also spoke at the event, including his son, Aduragbemi Aniyikaye who described his father as a man with “useful counsel”
There were also goodwill messages and testimonies from the NULGE Chairman, Ijero local government chapter, Comrade Tope Ilesanmi, Director of Works, Ekiti West local government, Engr. Remi Akande, a retired director of community, Mrs Bose Adekile, deputy director, Community Services, Irewolede LCDA, Mr. Lateef Fafure, among others.
In his response, elder Aniyikaye expressed gratitude to the management of the council and everyone involved in organising the event for the unprecedented retirement ceremony.
“I thank you all for the expression of kindness and love. I thank you for your prayers “
He called on the senior officers to mentor those behind them because that was the indelible thing they would be remembered for.
The event featured cultural displays, mimic, chanting of panegyrics, cutting of the 60th birthday cake and presentation of gifts.
Elder Moses Aniyikaye was born six decades ago at Ara-Ekiti in Ijero local government. He attended Community Primary School, Ara-Ekiti, between 1970 and 1976. He had his secondary education at Ipoti High School, Ipoti-Ekiti.
He later proceeded to the College of Education, Ila-Orangun, where he obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in the year 1989. He furthered his academic career at the University of Benin, where he bagged his B.Sc (Ed)Hons in Geography from 1992 to 1997.
Elder Aniyikaye joined the Teaching Service Commission as a class teacher at Ara Comprehensive High School. Later, he joined the service of Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission as a Community Development Inspector and he was later converted to the Community Officer.
He was promoted to the deputy director of community development and social services, and director of the community development and social services department till September 23rd,2025, when he retired from active service.