Popular Socio-Economic Expert, Oyedele retires from Oyo Teaching Service Commission @ 60

Popular Socio-Economic Expert, Oyedele retires from Oyo Teaching Service Commission @ 60

By

Olawale Ogunbusola

A socio-economic expert and Geography Teacher in the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Mr. Stephen Itanola Oyedele is due for retirement on Saturday 17th January, 2026.

The event is expected to hold at Community Secondary School, Adegbayi, New Ife Road, Ibadan.

The retiree will also celebrate 60th Birthday, same day.

Speaking with newsmen on Friday, Stephen Oyedele noted that his 35 years of meritorious service was full of giving back to the next generation.

He added that the government in his heyday did everything possible to help ease of doing job, this which he said enabled doing the best in return by every student and worker.

The retiring personality, fondly called "The Law",  who studied Law, Geography, Economics and Government has taught in over five schools in Oyo State, particular at the Ibadan outer city, with many of his students now as leading administrators both in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Oyedele described teaching as a blessed profession to him, adding that the profession gave him everything he desired including wife, godly children raising, academic excellence, respect, dignity, and societal influence.

" Teaching is a blessing to me. Let me tell you the profession has given me every good thing you can see around me. Children, good wife, higher education and certificates, respect, dignity, and even societal influence ", he said. 

The popular radio caller, who appreciated the Seyi Makinde led administration for prompt payment of salaries and pensions, with improved bonuses and promotions to due workers, called succeeding government in the state to prioritize the citizens' welfare and by extension the workers, especially the teachers who plan future of every generation for an enhanced productivity and societal contribution.

The socio-economic expert who had featured on various radio and television stations in Ibadan including IBR 92.5FM, King 103.9FM, Prince 89.7FM, Agidigbo 88.7FM among others noted the need to digitalize pension and gratuity payment as practised in other countries around the world, which affords retiring worker get his due benefits immediately; condemning usually years of waiting for gratuity after retirement with nothing gotten for some until their passing.

" It is a concern that Nigeria has not outgrown payment of gratuity within short time of retirement as other countries in the world. Many end up not getting their gratuity till they die. Let benefits payment be digitalized.

Countries like India, parts of the Middle East (like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE), and some Commonwealth nations often providing substantial immediate payouts (like pension commutation or gratuity) upon leaving service, why Nigeria failing systemic progress? Pay all entitlements once. There should not be any delay anymore. The hands that worked must eat it in good health", he said.

Meanwhile, Oyedele whose voice was recognized as a staunch caller on both local and national broadcast mediums in Nigeria, appreciated his wife, children and family for co-operation and prayers all through the service, vowed to continue to contribute to the growth and development of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole until he will leave the World.

Recall, Oyedele won Best Socio- Commentator of the Year Award at the 1st Edition of Journalist Olawale Ogunbusola School Competition & Awards held in 2022.