The Minister of State for Budget and National planning, Prince Clem Agba has described the retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Olusola Idowu as a great partner in the development of key National policies, aimed at planning the growth of the nation’s economy.

The Minister said this recently in Abuja at a send-forth dinner organised in honour of the retired Permanent secretary.

Agba said working together with Mrs Idowu alongside other stakeholders has brought about great achievements which cuts across National policies, observing rules and regulations to boosting staff welfare.

“I’m glad to say that in this last two years and seven months of working together with her and other relevant stakeholders, we’ve been able to deliver the National Development Plan(NDP) 2021-2025; National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan(NIIMP); M and E National Policy. We’ve also done quite a lot of work in the area of nutrition and social development .

“The one area that I didn’t have quite a lot is experience, which she really had experience in is the area of the service rules and regulations and she showed a lot of support in this regard. She drew my attention to a lot of things that needed to be done in the area of welfare of the staff unions. She was always upfront in terms of promotion for staff.

“The other one is she just called me and said we now have a staff clinic . Unfortunately, I was surprised that a lot of the unions staff were against having a clinic that is meant for their good and at the time they were protesting, somebody collapsed. So the clinic became a saving grace to revive the staff before heading for the hospital.

“For me that was very heart-warming and touching. I never knew we could have something like that. Even the issue of providing welfare packages to staff” the Minister said.

Agba was full of praises for Mrs Idowu who championed the incorporation of the former National Planning Commission Staff into the ministry and prayed for good health for her, while stating that his doors were opened to her at anytime.

“Another area was incorporating the erstwhile planning staff into the Ministry. She took that to heart. I’m glad to say that we’re about 99 per cent to 100 per cent done with the process.

“There is a time for everything and it has gotten to that time for her to take her departure out of service but we are glad that she’s leaving with a good name and in good health and our prayer for her is that as she leaves, may God continue to strengthen her” Agba said

On her part, Mrs Olusola Idowu thank the minister for organising the send-forth dinner which coincided with her 35th wedding anniversary.

“The Minister because he wasn’t around by weekend decided that we do the sent forth but he didn’t know that today is my 35th wedding anniversary. I want to say thank you to everyone especially the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

“When I just came in to the Ministry, I told him I will take him as my brother and ensure that you deliver on his mandate but he should also take me as his sister, and that’s how we’ve been working.

“I thank God because 35 years ago, we were just two. But now, three of our children have gone out, and more grandchildren are still coming” Mrs Idowu said.

She further prayed for glorious retirement for all staff in good health, and that all staff will receive their benefits with their hands. The retired Permanent Secretary will formally hand over to the incoming Permanent Secretary on Friday.