By Adebayo Olodan
A retired judge in Kwara State, Justice Babatunde Garba has disclosed
his intention to go into farming after active service.
Speaking on Saturday with this medium at his GRA, residence in Ilorin,
during a special prayer organised for him and his wife, Hajia Maryam
Ayodeji Garba, who also retired last week as Permanent Secretary of
Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Justice Garba
said, he had a not too pleasant experience while growing up.
Speaking on his next plan after retiring from service, Justice Garba
said, “I will leave Allah to decide for me but I have a farmland where
I planted cashew, yam and rice about six months ago.”
He added that though he is retired he is however not tired, “I have
already sounded it out to my staff and colleagues that they should not
see me as a retired officer, they should not hesitate me whenever the
need arise.”
Continuing, he said, “I had many challenges in life while growing up.
Recently, I went to India for medical attention, not that I have
cancer, diabetics or any other ailment but it was due to what I may
call job hazard. As a judge, I seat for long and you know definitely
it will have adverse effect. It was on the basis of it, that I was in
India for two weeks for treatment.”
While extolling virtues of his wife, the retired jurist described her
as the best woman he could wish for adding that he could vouch for her
anywhere and anytime.
“My wife is so dedicated to her job that she returned home late in the
night on a number of occasion but with tenable explanation. While in
the office, she would call to inform me that she is with the Chief
Executive Officer or the Commissioner deliberating on how to move the
state forward.”
Garba, however, urged his colleagues in the judiciary to remain
steadfast and do what they believe are best in the service of the
nation and Kwara State in particular.
Similarly, Hajia Garba, who narrated how she reluctantly dumped the
classroom as a teacher to become a Legislative Officer and later a
Permanent Secretary described the retired jurist as a supportive
husband and motivator.
The ex-permanent secretary while appreciating Allah, said; “There are
many of us born almost at the same time, they are not here today.
Also, there are many of us that started our career at the same time
but they are not here today.
“Today, I can say I am fulfilled as a person and grateful to Allah
having retired as a Permanent Secretary which is the pinnacle of the
civil service.
“When I started in 1988, if anyone had told me then that I will one
day become a Permanent Secretary, I will look at the person and say,
‘wishful thinking’.
Highlights of the occasion were; the ‘appreciation dance’ by the pair,
presentation of gifts and cultural dance by learners of Queen
Elizabeth College, Ilorin. The couple retiree however appreciated
their guests for finding time to honour them despite the short notice.
