It was celebration galore and a sight to behold at the retirement party organized for Alhaja Sheriffat Akinlabi-Raji fondly called ‘Mama’ by family and friends.
Dignitaries from all walks of life including Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro (nee Akinlabi) who is the Secretary to the Ekiti state government, Professor Modiu Durowoju, Dr. Wale Akinlabi, Pharm. Zaynul Abideen Ghaniyu, Sheikh Abdulazeez Ariremako and Iman Sulayman Adeyanju to mention a few, graced the occasion and took turns to pour encomiums on ‘Mama’.
The secretary to the Ekiti state government, Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro, was full of praises for the exceptional qualities that is known with ‘Mama’ throughout her public service years.
Al-muminaat, Oyo state were fully represented as members relished on the numerous assistance ‘Mama’ had rendered the organization over the years.
The audience were elated when Christians came out to testify to the magnanimity, ready to assist and open-door policy adopted by ‘Mama’ while in office.
The atmosphere of the party became emotional when her daughter, Dr. Maryam Raji-Salau showered encomium on her mother for being a mother per excellence, a fortress and the shoulders her children leaned on to achieve their goals so far in life.
She buttressed the fact that despite the numerous challenges her Mum had over the years, she rose above them all with enviable faith and patience, and today she has become an inspiration to all especially women.
The coordinating Imam, Sheikh Abdul-Azeez Ariremako, who drew inspiration from the beautiful Qur’an recitation by ‘Mama’s’ son, Hasan A-Raji, reminded the celebrant rhetorically ” Have you not confirmed with your life’s journey, the sacred word of Allah, that truly after hardship there is ease”? He also reminded her that Allah indeed has been merciful to her by making her witness period of ease and happiness after earlier times of challenges.
He however admonished her to use the post-civil service period to increase in her servitude to Allah rather than in pursuit of increase in wealth.
It will be recalled that Alhaja Sheriffat Akinlabi-Raji just retired from civil service in August 2023 after 30 years meritorious service and brilliant records.
Mama graduated with a second-class upper degree in Economics from the prestigious University of Ibadan in 1988. In search for further education, she went back to her alma mata, University of Ibadan for a Master’s degree in Economics between 1989 and 1990.
She started her civil service journey in 1991 at the Ibadan branch office of the Auditor General of the federation, the branch she was later to head from 2008 to 2020 when she became a full Director and had to move to Headquarters in Abuja.
In the Quest for Professionalism, she attended the Nigerian College of Accountancy in Jos, Plateau state between 2008 and 2010 when she became a full-fledged Certified National Accountant.
Alhaja Akinlabi-Raji attended and participated in several training programmes both home and abroad which made her a seasoned Accountant and an auditor.
Some of these are:
Macroeconomics for public sector managers in Ilorin – March 1989.
Training programme in Project Analysis and Evaluation – June 1989.
Intensive Training Programme for civil servants on Grade Level 12 – 14 at ASCON Badagry, Lagos state – 2002
Information Technology acquisition for Auditors at Lokoja, Kogi state between August 21st and September 8 2006.
Institute of Certified Public Accountant training course in Lagos on impact of Financial and Economic performance on National Development – December 2007.
Alhaja Akinlabi’s international exposure is top notch which has cemented her place as one of the most seasoned and experienced auditor in Nigeria. Below are some of her numerous trainings and assignments beyond the shores of Nigeria.
She went to Mexico in 2012.
She was at Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2021
She visited India and Ethiopia in 2022
She also went to South Africa on AFROSAI Training (African Organization of Supreme Audit Institution).
Lastly, she visited the United Kingdom – London for a training organized by Periscope consulting in May 2023.
She ended her overseas traveling in the Federal Civil Service in July 2023 by visiting Doha in Qatar. In all these journeys abroad, she had the opportunity of auditing several multinationals and embassies. Mama also made sure she took care of her religious responsibilities while abroad. In 2023, she was in Saudi Arabia for umrah after leaving Qatar, which was her 3rd time of visiting the house of Allah.
Mama’s is well known in religious circle in Nigeria. She had held several posts in servitude of her Lord since she was a young school girl. She was the Amirah of MSSN Federal Government Girls College Oyo from 1982-1984. The Financial Secretary MSSN University of Ibadan: 1986-1988. She was the Amirah Oyo Area Council MSSN: 1988-1990. She moved to Al-muminnat where she emerged the Amirah Oyo state between 1995-1999. In AL-Muninaat as well she was the National Auditor, between the years 1999 and 2005. She was then appointed as Ex-Officio National Al-Muminaat from 2005 till Date.
Alhaja Akinlabi-Raji is blessed with children and grandchildren.
See photos below:
