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Celebrating the
life of Festus Kweitei |
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Festus was born on 25th June, 1934. His father was a Pharmacist and proprietor of Alagba Drug Store. His mother
was a renowned business woman. He attended Festus joined the Surveys department as
an Assistant Staff Surveyor, before he was transferred to the Labour
Department as a Factory Inspector in November, 1961. He then proceeded to Festus quickly rose up in ranks and was
made Chief Inspector of Factories and Head of the Division in 1969. He was
soon promoted to the position of Chief Labour Officer and head of the Labour
Department in April, 1974, becoming the Chief Advisor to the Government on
Industrial Relations issues. His amiable personality and special
interpersonal skills enabled him to successfully handle industrial disputes
and to foster good relations between the Employers Association and the TUC. At this stage of his career, he had the
benefit of various short courses and seminars on industrial relations,
environmental aspects of development, and public administration. He was also
a member of the National Apprenticeship Council, National Trade Test
Committee, National Vocational Training Institute, Social Security and
National Insurance Trust, and the National Labour Advisory Council. Festus attended International Labour
Organization (ILO) conferences in In this role, Festus promoted a
wider and keener interest among African Governments in the further
development of the African Regional Labor Administration Centre (ARLAC) and
assisted the Governments involved to make firm commitments of financial and
other support. Additionally, his work with Governments helped identify and
assess country needs and interests in possibilities of technical
co-operation, both for the overall improvement of labor administration,
including the extension of functions to rural areas, and fuller development
of labor inspection and employment services. He also prepared country draft project
proposals to assist governments to intensify and improve programmes for
training of personnel of labor departments, which meant providing short-term
advisory and training services to governments towards promotion of sound
labor relations and general improvement of working conditions. When courses and seminars were organized
by ILO or ILO supported projects, Festus participated on various aspects of
labor administration and labor relations techniques, while providing all
possible support to the ILO Office, the Labor Administration Branch, Chief
Technical Advisers of regional, sub-regional and national projects as and
when so requested. In January, 1988, Festus was
transferred to Everyone who met Festus enjoyed his
warmth, kindness, peaceful character, and quiet strength. His humility and
undiluted acceptance of everybody, no matter what their social status, was
remarkable. This allowed him the ability to have discussions and
conversations on all topics with anyone who was in his company; young or old.
Conversations covered a variety of subjects, such as politics, religion,
family issues, career paths, and sports. It was a pleasure to behold! He was a true peacemaker, and would
often be found trying to calm down parties involved in an argument and
offering diplomatic and wise counsel on how to continue to parlay with mutual
respect and understanding so that those involved could continue to maintain a
positive relationship. He made sure to maintain his neutrality and was
usually successful at bridging the peace. He was passionate in his desire for
everybody to find a point of compromise, and to get along. Festus loved to read, and in the early
days of his retirement, would be found many a time with his latest copy of a
fictional best-seller; the supply of which his children would replenish on
their numerous visits to see Daddy. He also loved to socialize; hosting many
cheerful meetings with family and friends; retelling humorous stories that
would leave his audience in stitches. At other times, he would be found
intently watching his sports channel; celebrating a team goal, or frowning at
a wrestling challengers’ rotten tactics used to win a fight. Festus was just as
accomplished in his family life, and was equally as open and involved with
his extended family as he was with his immediate family. He was highly
regarded and loved by his many brothers, sisters, and cousins, and was known
for his generous nature and his constant support and care. He was the force behind his lovely wife,
who also made substantive progress in her career. He
loved his children unconditionally, and brought them up to be humble, and
God-fearing, teaching them not to put a premium on money, but to be committed
to hard work. As far as he was concerned, integrity and good character
mattered most. He also worked very hard to give all his children the best
education they could have. His efforts reaped numerous benefits as shown by
the success and status of his children. Festus enjoyed the company of a core
group of long-standing friends whom he cherished, and who remained close to
him until the very end. He was also a staunch Christian, which was evident in
all his dealings with others throughout his life. He quietly maintained his
faith in God until the very end. His wife was his lifelong partner
and friend for the forty-two years that they were married. They were seldom
found apart, and during those rare times that they were separated, were found
talking to each other, making plans. It is therefore no surprise that his wife was his constant, unflinching and tireless nurse and comforter during his
illness. He is survived by his wife, seven children, eleven siblings, and eleven (soon to be twelve) precious grand-children May the soul of this great man rest in
everlasting peace peace being |
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Father, Husband, Grandfather, Brother,
Uncle, Nephew And Friend To Many Who Love Him. |