Mr. NARAYANA P. ASOGAN, Dear Collaborators at CNIC, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On this occasion, when we convene to share in joy as one of our senior collaborators, Mr. ASOGAN – previously Director of Operations, comes to the end of his career amongst us, I must confess that I feel a mixture of both happiness and a sense of nostalgia.

The nostalgia stems from the fact that in my capacity as General Manager having worked for several years with Mr. ASOGAN in various positions, we have together faced many challenges, taken initiatives to ensure the development of our company and cultivated a culture of team work and excellence. In this line, participating in an occasion like this for such a collaborator I cannot avoid revisiting those souvenirs or even attempting to retain him.

On the other hand, the joy and pride are understandable and legitimate because, apart from Mr. ASOGAN's brilliant career, retirement can be justifiably considered as a coronation of one's professional endeavours which only a blessed few are privileged to attain.

Permit me therefore avail myself of this opportunity to formally commend Mr. ASOGAN for his hard work, competence, integrity and commitment to service which enabled him play an important role in the life of CNIC. Indeed, although some of us attending this occasion are not aware, Mr. NARAYANA ASOGAN is one of the longest serving staff of CNIC. He joined the company's work force on the 24 th February 1989 – that is, barely one year after its creation. His service number 0046 is an eloquent testimony to this and confers on him the status of a true pioneer.

After serving for a period of 10 years as Marine Manager from 24 th February 1989 to 21 st July 1999, Mr. ASOGAN's performances and hard work commended him for promotion to the position of Head of the Marine Department with rank of Deputy Director. He held this position for four years from 23 rd July 1999 to 28 th March 2003.

These appointments made Mr. ASOGAN work even harder and it was only a logical compensation that on the 29 th March 2003, he was again promoted to the position of Director of Operations, an office he has held for slightly more than two years until even yesterday. This brief professional profile does not highlight all of Mr. ASOGAN's achievements and work at CNIC but I wish to spare you the trouble of going into details on project assignments and simply say, without any intention to flatter, that if CNIC has grown from a modest workforce of 52 employees at creation to over 1 500 employees today, Mr. ASOGAN can be considered as one of those who contributed to this progress. He has served CNIC with competence and abnegation causing savings for the company through his vigilance.

To Mr. ASOGAN, at the moment when you take leave of us and look forward to a professionally less-constraining life, I wish to use this opportunity to remind you of an adage that you know only too well: “While an Engineer may retire from active service, he can really never truly retire from his trade for the knowledge stays with him forever.” I therefore have no doubt that while you enjoy your retirement, you will occasionally find time to allow other persons or communities benefit from your expertise.

Similarly, as one of the pioneers who has contributed enormously to CNIC's progress through your personal knowledge and training of competent young Cameroonians in several aspects of mechanical engineering and the servicing of floating equipment, we consider you as one of our best ambassadors outside CNIC's industrial facilities and premises. I am confident that you shall continue to recommend CNIC to our past, present and even more, prospective clients. We therefore look forward, with joy, to a moment when we shall either receive a call or fax from you or one of such clients bringing to us an Oil rig or vessel for servicing as a result of your contacts and recommendations.

In résumé, after your dedicated and loyal services to CNIC, permit me seize this occasion to invite CNIC personnel here present to emulate your positive example in order to make CNIC perform better and better. As a final word, at the moment when technology has made the world a global village, I wish to reassure you that this is only an “ au revoir” and it shall always be a pleasure to see you come to visit us when you find the time. All said, remember that CNIC cannot forget you so soon and do not forget the CNIC family.

On behalf of the entire CNIC Staff and Management, I wish you farewell, a happy life with your family and success in all your future endeavours.

GOD BLESS YOU!