Philip Shuaibu, The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu recently organized an Independence Anniversary party for the staff of his office as a mark of appreciation and gave out houses to two of his drivers. In his speech during the occasion, The Deputy Governor acknowledged drivers as being open to attack , the reason he rewarded them as an annual ritual.
The deputy governor recognized the yearly party for his staff as an avenue for togetherness and relaxation as a family and to show appreciation for their dedication to duties. Shaibu said that this year’s event was postponed because of the explosion that took place in Koko, Delta State, where several people died.
According to him, “We have rewarded one of our drivers today who is retiring with a token, that is what we do every year. I have been doing this yearly where all my staff will come together with their families and mine, and we celebrate together. “On this day, there is no protocol, no deputy governor, no driver.
All of us celebrate together, it is a way of bonding and relaxing and seeing ourselves as a family, we do it every year.
“This year’s edition is being done today because of the tragedy that struck Koko as a result of the tanker explosion that led to the loss of lives. So, we cannot be celebrating while the nation is mourning, so we have to shift it.
“In the coming week, we will celebrate two of our drivers that we have been able to get accommodation for. It is my tradition, which I have been doing since when I was in the House of Assembly.
“The two most senior drivers have benefited from this, and it is my own way of appreciating them and being part of their growth. A man you are able to build a house for, one has been able to help him out of one of the major challenges of life, which is accommodation.”
Shaibu used the occasion to eulogize the designer of the Nigerian National Flag, the late Michael Taiwo Akinkumi, who passed on on August 29, 2023, recognizing his contribution to nation building.
