Testimonial Of A Passionate Teacher

GLOWING tributes characterised the retirement ceremony of former Director, Quality Assurance, Education District III, Mrs. Patricia Aziakpono Enase, for her commendable contribution into the Lagos State Teaching Service.

Families, friends, colleagues and principal officers of Lagos State Ministry of Education were on hand to witness and celebrate Enase for investing 35 active years into the system.

Enase, who was specially ushered into the ceremony with a dance step from her hometown Delta State, told The Guardian that she is now free from hassles and tussles of Lagos traffic.

She said the journey though tedious and onerous, has been fulfilling and rewarding as young lives were positively touched and influenced. Shortly after performing her ‘pens down’ ceremony, which is the last official function of civil servants in the state’s teaching profession, she enthused: “And so, now I feel relaxed. All glory to God. I can wake any time I like and sleep when I want to sleep, no hassles of Lagos traffic and that is enough for me.”

Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, described Enase as a wonderful, amiable, hard working and passionate woman whose commitment to duty was without equal.

“Enase is very passionate about education in Lagos State. Her keyword is maintaining standard at all times. She is someone who will not settle for something less for her children. She is always aiming for the best; she is an exemplary leader that everybody wants to emulate her in all quality assurance offices,” Soyombo said.

On her part, Mrs. Rita Ifeoma Ebunoluwa said: “Enase’s tremendous input brought about a rapid growth and a great turn around in education not only in the district where she is retiring, but Lagos State in general. As a mother and teacher, her desire all time was to instill in other teachers the discipline, love and passion she herself carries within the dispensation of her duties.”

Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of the district, Mr. Yinka Olaniyi, noted that Enase ended her career on a very good note, urging others to emulate her simplicity and character.

A family friend, Ferdinand Igorigo Uziewe added: “Enase made a statement in her career, a perfect signature in the service just like her late father Sir Patrick Macaulay Ugbede who throughout his 35 years in the civil service had no blemish.”

Her husband, Christopher Enase, an engineer, said: “My wife wanted to be a nurse, but I told her to go into teaching profession so she can have time for me and our children and today, we have no regrets. She has made us proud.”

Born in Irri in Isoko south Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State on April 25, 1957, Enase attended St. John Roman Catholic Mission, Oleh Isoko South LGA and Our Lady’s High School, Effurun, Warri. She obtained her National Certificate in Education from the College of Education, Abraka in 1979.

She proceeded to the University of Benin, where she obtained her Bachelor of Education in 1991 and her Masters in Adult Education from the same UNIBEN in 1995.

Enase, who joined the Lagos state government in June 1996 as a Principal Master, teaching Agricultural Science at Isheri Grammar School, started her civil service career with the then Bendel State Government in 1980 as an Agriculture Science teacher at Western Boys High School, Benin-City.