Ex-Kwara HoS dies at 57, gov, others mourn

Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole, former head of Service, Kwara state.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the former Head of Service, Susan Oluwole.

AbdulRazaq described Oluwole as an “impeccable technocrat” and a “credible authority” in public service matters.

Oluwole passed away on Wednesday at the age of 57, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, after battling a long illness suspected to be Lupus barely one year after retiring from the Kwara State Civil Service.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Thursday, the governor praised the late Oluwole’s contributions to the state, acknowledging her dedication and brilliance throughout her career.

“The former HOS was a credible and dependable authority in matters of public service, having attained her heights on the dint of hard work, grit, brilliance, character, and impeccable institutional memory,” he said.

The governor added that he was proud to have worked with Oluwole, describing her services to the state as “truly exceptional and invaluable.”

He extended his condolences to her family, especially her husband and aged father, as well as the entire civil service hierarchy in the state.

“We pray to God to repose her soul and give the family and contemporaries the courage to bear this huge loss,” AbdulRazaq added.

Oluwole retired as Kwara’s Head of Service in March 2024, after serving the state in various capacities for decades.

Also, reacting to her death, former Head of Service, Mohammed Dabarako, described Oluwole as a hardworking and reliable administrator.

“You can give her a job to do and go to sleep. She was that good. She was one of the best directors under me when I was Head of Service. The state has lost an icon in the civil service. May Allah grant her eternal rest,” Dabarako said.

On his part, former Secretary to the State Government, Isiaka Gold, described Oluwole as honest, hardworking, and very dedicated.

“She spent most of her working life in the Head of Service department, so she knows the job thoroughly. Kwara has lost a gem in the civil service,” Gold said.

Oluwole hailed from Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of the state.

Her death has thrown the Kwara civil service into mourning as many described her as a brilliant technocrat who served the state with passion and commitment.

Oluwole was appointed as Head of Service in 2017 by former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, becoming the 12th and the second female to hold the position in the history of the Kwara State Civil Service. She succeeded Hajia Zarah Omar, the state’s first female Head of Service, who retired on September 1, 2017.

Before her appointment, Oluwole worked as the Permanent Secretary in charge of Service Welfare at the Office of the Head of Service. She joined the Kwara State Civil Service in 1989 and retired in June 2024 due to health challenges.

Reacting to her death, former Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako, described Oluwole as a hardworking and reliable administrator.

“You can give her a job to do and go to sleep. She was that good. She was one of the best directors under me when I was Head of Service. The state has lost an icon in the civil service. May Allah grant her eternal rest,” Dabarako said.

Also mourning her death, former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, described Oluwole as honest, hardworking, and very dedicated.

“She spent most of her working life in the Head of Service department, so she knows the job thoroughly. Kwara has lost a gem in the civil service,” Gold said.

Oluwole hailed from Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of the state.

Her death has thrown the Kwara civil service into mourning as many described her as a brilliant technocrat who served the state with passion and commitment.