Femi Adesina, a former Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has urged Nigerians to be patient with the present administration as it makes efforts to fix the challenges in the country, adding that tough times don’t last forever.
The former president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday.
According to him: “Tough times don’t last and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Adesina spoke on the sidelines of the retirement ceremony organised by the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union, NAN Lagos chapel, for Adebolu Akindoyin.
Akindoyin is a former two-term State Secretary of RATTAWU and former Assistant Administrative Officer of the NGE.
He retired from NAN as Chief Clerical Officer on January 9, 2025 after attaining the compulsory retirement age of 60.
Adesina, a former two-term President of the NGE, assured that Nigerians would laugh eventually, but needed more patience and perseverance to reap the reward of their sacrifices.
He said: “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
“So, I appeal to Nigerians to forbear the times.
“When the dividends of their forbearance come, then they will laugh.”
Praising the retiree, Adesina said that Akindoyin deserved to be honoured for his dedication, diligence and dutiful service, especially to the NGE.
He said: “I decided to be here to honour somebody who was very dear to us, very dutiful.
“When we were in the Guild, anything you gave to him to do, you could go to sleep, knowing that he would do it.
“When there were not many means of communication and digital things, he (Akindoyin) would go to every part of Lagos to deliver messages.
“When I heard of his retirement, I felt I was duty-bound to come, honour him and to wish him well as he goes to the next phase.”
The former presidential spokesman, however, urged the retiree to take things easy in order to enjoy the fruits of his labour in good health.
Gbenga Adefaye, another former two-term NGE president and Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, said that Akindoyin was “an example of do your best in whatever position you find yourself”.
Adefaye, who extolled Akindoyin’s diligence, honesty and loyalty, urged him to take care of his health in retirement.
Also speaking, Adeleye Ajayi, the Head of Lagos Operations of NAN, commended Akindoyin for his dedication, reliability and commitment to duty.
Ajayi, who is also the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, said that he would not hesitate to recommend Akindoyin for any opportunity after retirement.
In his remark, Dare Durosimi, National Vice President, RATTAWU South West, applauded the retiree for his support to the union, saying that he would be remembered for his loyalty and readiness to serve humanity.
Durosimi said: “Comrade Bolu is someone you can trust with anything.
“He doesn’t see the age gap, he is very humble, loyal and trustworthy in all situations.”
Ishola Adejumo, the State Chairman of RATTAWU, said that Akindoyin was very meticulous, adding that he was a good ambassador of the union.
Adejumo said owing to Akindoyin’s sterling impacts, the union conferred on him “the Ambassador of RATTAWU at Large”.
Also, NAN RATTAWU Executive Council, led by Ayodeji Fadipe, and members of NUJ took turns to commend Akindoyin for his dedication, diligence and dedication to service and unionism.
In his response, Akindoyin said: “I am highly honoured today because of the calibre of people that came to celebrate me today.
“This is an indication that whatever we are doing, some people are watching us.”
