By Tunde Uchegbuo
The admissions office is the first point of contact for first-year students that come from different family orientation and backgrounds. As a result, the admissions officer is confronted with circumstances that require tolerance, understanding, and courteousness to get by.
These qualities were found in Mrs. Rose Okah, the Admissions Officer of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, who was recently given a ‘Humanitarian Service Award’ by the League of Character Clubs International.
The president-general of the body, Dr Christian Kokoriko, disclosed that Mrs Okah, a deputy Registrar at the university, was honoured for her capacity to remain courteous in the discharge of her duties even in the face of detestable attitude by students or visitors.
“Despite the demands of the office, some of which are very annoying, you do not lose your cool. The good character award is given to you due to your good leadership, youth development, administration, character moulding, public service, human empowerment, and for rendering selfless service to humanity.”
He revealed that the Admissions officer was carefully chosen from reports submitted by their field agents who go undercover to monitor public servants amid growing concerns about their attitude in serving the public, insisting that Mrs Okah’s selection was without bias.
The advocate for good character said he was excited about the Admissions officer’s disposition in the way she carries out her duties and maintained that it has disproved misconceptions about the public service, and described the university administrator as an amiable, empathetic, compassionate, and “a woman of character and integrity.”
Dr Kokoriko emphasised that character is a legacy one leaves behind, as he urged public servants to note that the positions they occupy is transient and should be used to instil goodness in others. He said character building is essential for national development and hoped that the award would spur her to greater heights.
Responding, Mrs Okah said she was overwhelmed by the recognition, adding that it would motivate her to serve the public better. She explained that she was just performing her duties but did not know that she was being monitored.
“I don’t know the people from anywhere. It is in me, that is just my nature. We are here because of the students and if they are not here, we will lose our jobs.”
Mrs Okah acknowledged the management of the university for the opportunity to serve through the office and enjoined other public servants to be mindful of their actions as they carry out their duties because their attitude impacts the character of people, especially the youth.
In the same vein, Mrs Kate Ukwuoma and Mr Chukwuma Ejah of the Admissions Office, expressed joy that the little contribution of their boss in public service is recognised.
They described her as generous, accommodating, and open-minded, asserting that the recognition was not a surprise, as they urged her to keep it up.
