By Emma Ovuakporie
ABUJA—The outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, has said that as he retired from the Federal Civil Service, he left as a fulfilled man who got divine assistance to achieve his mandate within the short time he held the position.

Oronsaye said this at a thanksgiving, Tuesday. to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from the civil service, held at the Four Square Gospel Church, Asokoro, Abuja.

The service had in attendance the Minister of Defence, Chief Adetokunbo Kayode, in-coming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, 25 retired and serving federal permanent secretaries, among other dignitaries.

Speaking further, Oronsaye said his appointment in 2009 to head the federal civil service was not got through lobby but was an act of God.

He said that was why he decided to ensure that he served diligently and to the best of his ability, adding “my coming to work for the government in the first instance was not planned for and I never thought I will even stay to serve to this level.

“ The events of my career from beginning to the end have been guided by the hands of the Almighty God.”

The outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation eulogized former President Olusegun Obasanjo who,  he said, he had no previous relationship with but gave him the opportunity to serve the nation for eight years.

He said that during the period, he became even more passionate on the need to work hard, steadfastly and diligently for the progress and development of the country.

In his remarks, the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, described Mr. Oronsaye as a hardworking achiever whose shoes will be difficult for anyone to wear.

He said further that in the short time that he served in that position, Oronsaye made impact on the service more than many who served for longer periods.

In a sermon delivered at the occasion, Pastor Babajide Olowodola of the Four Square Gospel Chruch,  urged all humans to remember that accounts of their actions would be given to God on the judgment day. He said that people should strive to live in line with the injunctions of God.