Dad asked me to prioritise civil servants, pensioners, teachers, says Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, said his father, Emmanuel Abiodun before his death had advised him to respect the civil servants, pay them regularly and ensure that pensioners get their gratuities.
Abiodun who described the demise of his father as “painful and a great loss to him and his family”, said he broke down in tears when he received the news of the death of his father.
He also said his late dad had urged him to respect the civil servants, pay pensioners regularly and treat teachers well.
The governor said he has scrupulously kept to that advice.
He said, “When I assumed office, my dad told me to be faithful to the oath of office I took, he said I should respect the civil servants, pay them regularly and ensure that pensioners get their gratuities and all will be well.
“He also asked me to treat teachers well, you know that was his constituency, he told me to pay workers on time, before the last day of the month”.
Abiodun further noted that his late father was a humble man who lived for his family and community.
He said, “My father lived for his family and community. We are a well-knitted family. I have always feared a day like this. My father was a humble man.
“I am greatly pained by his death, but slowly coming to terms with the fact that he is no more. He had a humble beginning, but a glorious end.”
The governor, however, urged the people of the state to live a humble life and serve humanity, the virtues, which he said would leave a lasting legacy on the mind of the people after their demise.
Recounting his experience with his father while growing up, Abiodun said he never saw his father got angry, but would always discipline his children when they misbehaved.
He said, “People say I am humble. Of course I will be when my parents, especially, my father was a very humble man. This is because of my upbringing. I learnt to follow his lifestyle and footsteps,” he noted.
