By Timeswatch
It was a fitting celebration of excellence, service, resilience, and legacy on Friday, 17 July 2026, as Tpl. (Mrs.) Bello Risikat Bukola, FNITP, MRTPI, formally retired from the Lagos State Public Service after 34 years of meritorious and distinguished service, while also celebrating six remarkable decades of life.
The memorable occasion brought together an impressive array of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria. Among those in attendance were Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Father of the Day; the Chairman of the day- Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide; and the Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas. Also, the husband of the celebrant- Alhaji Bello Muritala Olanrewaju -General Manager- Lodoni Company (Nig) Limited – Nigerian Army Ordnance Operator and former Regional Customer Manager- Dangote Group.
The traditional institution was also well represented by the representative of Oba Abdulfatai Aremu Oyeyinka Aromire, Oyegbemi II, the Ojora of Ijora Land; Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom; and Oba Abdulfatai Talabi, Oba Ala of Ilala Kingdom.
Other distinguished guests included Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde, FNITP, Past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and former Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State; Tpl. Olajunji Odunlami, FNITP; the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ogun State; and Engr. Mrs. Adebisi Oyenekan FNSE MD/CEO Macloy Limited and Chairman -the rock foundation Founder
Also present were Hon. (Prince) Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya, OSMAK, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Bankole Bernard, Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies from 2016 to 2020, and Immediate Past President of the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations in Nigeria; Hon. Mogaji Seye Oladejo, Immediate Past Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress and former Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Lagos State; Mrs. Sukanmi Oyegbola Permanent Secretary Public Service Office; Mr. Agbabiaka Wasiu Bolanle Permanent Secretary Civil Service commission; Tpl. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka Permanent Secretary- Office of Physical Planning, Mr. Olowoshayo Kamar Owodiran Permanent Secretary of Lands Bureau Services; Engr. Sotire Oluwole FNSE – Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Front Infrastructure; Engr. Adetunji Adeyemi Adesanya, Permanent Secretary- Office of Urban Development; and Mrs. Adegbite-Dokunmu Bisola, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary , Tpl. Musinat Abiola Ayodele-Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and host of other retired Permanent Secretaries across the State.
The occasion was further graced by General Managers from different Agencies, senior government officials; captains of industry; members of the organised private sector; religious leaders led by Chief Imam Alhaji Adelakun Daud Adetokunbo; Tpl. Akindele A. Oladele, FNITP -representatives of the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners/ Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, and Tpl. Dr. Veronica Okoye, FNITP the National Chairman of the Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria, .
Tpl Adebisi Qgunlewe FNITP- Lagos State Representative at the Town Planners Registration Council, Alhaji Yaya Emiola Chief executive of Emiola Ind. Invest. Co. Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Abolare Bello is Consultant Pharmacologist, Representatives and members of the academia, students, family members, friends, professional colleagues, Mentors, mentees, and numerous well-wishers also attended the celebration.
The occasion was more than a retirement ceremony; it was a celebration of a lifetime devoted to professional excellence, innovation, leadership, mentorship, humanitarian service, and nation-building. One of its major highlights was the official launch of her autobiography, The Story of a Resilient Woman Town Planner Who Built More Than Cities. The book chronicles her inspiring life journey, professional accomplishments, leadership experiences, challenges, resilience, and enduring contributions to sustainable development and humanity in Lagos State and Nigeria as whole.
Another defining moment was the presentation of the RISIBELLO Charity Foundation Legacy Awards, reflecting her lifelong commitment to giving back to society. Through the Foundation, scholarships were awarded to eighteen outstanding students selected from the three regions of Nigeria and studying in different academic and professional fields.
In addition, twenty members of staff of the Lagos State Public Service received Awards of Excellence and Good Conduct in recognition of their integrity, diligence, professionalism, commitment, and exemplary service. Distinguished mentors, mentees, humanitarian partners, volunteers, and committed supporters were also honoured for their invaluable contributions to society and national development.
Throughout her distinguished career, Tpl. Bello championed several transformative initiatives that contributed significantly to the development of physical planning administration in Lagos State. These included the digitalisation of Planning Permit Administration through the Electronic Planning Permit (Lagos- EPP), a partially automated planning permit platform and the foundational framework for the design and development of the Lagos State Electronic Planning Permit Processing System (Lagos-EPPPS).
She also contributed to institutional reforms, strategic planning initiatives, policy development, professional mentoring, capacity-building programmes, electronic governance, and innovative approaches aimed at strengthening the administration and delivery of physical planning services in Lagos State.
Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous honours and recognitions, including the Lagos State Long Service Award; World Bank Group Certificates and Letters of Appreciation from 2017 to 2019 consecutively for her contributions to the Doing Business reforms through the design and deployment of the partially automated planning permit platform as well as the the prestigious Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.
She has also received several Awards of Excellence and Meritorious Service through the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria; the African Meritorious Mothers Award; the Timeswatch Merit Award as Outstanding Role Model of the Year; the Nigerian Statesmanship Seal as a Meritorious Outstanding Nigerian Woman; recognition among the Top 100 Most Influential Women Professionals in Construction and Engineering in Nigeria; and several other national, professional, leadership, and humanitarian awards.
Beyond public service, she continues to impact lives as the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the RISIBELLO Charity Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to educational advancement, scholarships, youth empowerment, mentorship, humanitarian intervention, gender equity, social inclusion, capacity-building, and sustainable community development.
As she retires from active public service, Tpl. (Mrs.) Bello Risikat Bukola, FNITP, MRTPI, leaves behind an enduring legacy of visionary leadership, integrity, innovation, resilience, professional excellence, mentorship, and compassionate service.
Her remarkable story remains a powerful testament that true success lies not only in building cities, but also in building people, strengthening institutions, creating opportunities, and inspiring future generations.
Congratulations to Tpl. (Mrs.) Bello Risikat Bukola, FNITP, MRTPI, on her glorious retirement, remarkable 60th birthday, and a lifetime devoted to excellence, integrity, innovation, resilience, and selfless service to humanity.
