The Lagos State Health District IV has celebrated the retirement of its former Director of Environmental Health, Mrs. Betty Allen Albert-Obateye, in recognition of her 35 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the Lagos State Public Service.
The send-off ceremony, held at the Lagos Island East LCDA Hall, ZAPPASS, Lagos, brought together colleagues, family members, friends and well-wishers to honour her remarkable contributions to environmental health and public service.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, represented by the Director of Environmental Services, Mr. Adekoya David, described Mrs. Albert-Obateye as a committed professional and passionate environmental advocate whose dedication significantly advanced environmental sanitation and public health across the district.
He commended her exemplary service and wished her a fulfilling retirement marked by good health and continued impact. He also encouraged her to prioritise healthy living and remain actively involved in community development.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from professional colleagues, family members and friends, who celebrated her integrity, professionalism and lasting contributions to the environmental health sector.
In her remarks, Mrs. Albert-Obateye expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended her pens-down and pull-out parade, describing the occasion as a memorable milestone in her career.
She urged Environmental Health Officers to remain committed to the principles of honesty, integrity and selfless service, stressing that public service is fundamentally about improving the lives of people rather than pursuing personal interests.
She also encouraged officers to discharge their responsibilities with compassion, fairness and professionalism, while upholding the ethical standards of the environmental health profession.
Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Albert-Obateye described environmental health as a noble and rewarding profession, noting that her passion for the field sustained her commitment throughout her years in service and would continue to inspire her in retirement.
Mrs. Albert-Obateye joined the Lagos State Public Service as an Environmental Health Officer in 1991. Between 2000 and 2003, she served as a Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) with the World Health Organization (WHO), and in 2006, she was recognised as the Most Active Staff of the Year.
She also played a frontline role during the 2014 Ebola outbreak as a member of the WHO Ebola Response Team at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, contributing to Nigeria’s successful containment of the disease.
Over the course of her career, she participated in several professional development programmes, including specialised training in climate change and waste management, further strengthening her expertise in environmental health and sustainable public health practices.
