Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Director General/CEO of Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, Dr Peter Ogbobe, has expressed appreciation to retirees and members of staff for their dedication and commitment to the progress of the Institute.
Ogbobe made the remarks during the end of the year get-to-together organised by the institute to mark the end of the 2024 fiscal year.
Ogbobe, with his mantra, “no one person makes a convoy,” said that the event was to “thank God” for a successful year and to celebrate the workers for their cooperation and performance in 2024.
“We gather today to celebrate the end of another remarkable year. I am filled with gratitude and joy for what God has done, is doing, and is going to do.
“We come together to acknowledge the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our colleagues, who have made significant contributions to PRODA,” he said.
The DG paid glowing tribute to retired management staff of the institute, who, he said, served “this great Institute with utmost dedication and selflessness.”
“Your years of service have been a testament to your perseverance, expertise, and passion. Your contributions have shaped PRODA, and your legacy will continue to inspire us.
“You have contributed greatly to the success story of this great Institute, providing guidance, wisdom, and leadership. Your dedication has been a beacon of hope, inspiring us to strive for excellence.
“As you begin this new chapter, we wish you joy, happiness, and fulfillment. May your years of service be rewarded with love, laughter, and above all, sound health and long life,” Ogbobe said.
The institute also gifted a giant washing machine to each of the retirees as mark of appreciation for their service to PRODA and fatherland.
Dr Ogbobe also rewarded some staff, who demonstrated exceptional productivity and dedication during the year under review.
He said: “Your hard work, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on our organisation.
“As we celebrate your achievements, we are reminded that success is not solely individual, but also a testament to the collective efforts of our team.
“Your dedication, expertise, and passion have inspired us to strive for greatness. May this recognition motivate you to continue pushing boundaries and achieving excellence.
“For some of you who work genuinely hard but may not have made it to the list of these awardees, I encourage you to keep being you and keep pushing and believing that your reward is imminent.”
He expressed gratitude to members of staff for the peace, unity and bonds of friendship, camaraderie, and shared purpose in the organisation.
“May the joy, laughter, and memories we create today and has been creating inspire us to continue striving for excellence in the years to come. Cheers to an amazing year, and here’s to an even brighter future,” Ogbobe said.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Onyemelukwe, thanked the DG/CEO and management for remembering them.
She said the gesture was unprecedented in the history of the institute and urged Ogbobe and his management team to continue in that spirit.
Also speaking, the overall best staff of PRODA 2024, Mr Nzereogu Justine, who is the Special Assistant to the DG, expressed gratitude to his colleagues and management for choosing him.
He specifically thanked the DG for moulding him to become who is today.
“I thank the DG specifically, who has brought out the best in me.
“I always do my best not minding who is watching me; I thank my colleagues who found me worthy to select me as the best staff for this year,” he said.
Speaking with tears of joy, the overall winner enjoined his colleagues to always “be their selves while discharging their duties.”
Justine went home with the highest prize money of N500,000.
Other awardees include, best research team of the year, departmental best staff, best dancers of the day among others.