Management, staff and representatives of the host communities of Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited gathered at the company’s Osse River and Araromi operations to bid farewell to the outgoing Managing Director, MD Olivier, following his transfer to SAPH.

Held on Tuesday September 29 at Osse River and Wednesday September 30 at Araromi, the send-off ceremonies provided a platform for employees, management, and community representatives to honour MD Olivier’s leadership and acknowledge his significant contributions to RENL during his tenure.

MD Olivier was transferred from RENL to take up the position of Managing Director of SAPH, the largest rubber group within the SIFCA Group and the biggest rubber-producing company in Africa. He was succeeded at RENL by Aba George, who assumed office as the company’s new Managing Director.

The send-forth gatherings featured goodwill messages and reflections from staff and members of the host communities, who spoke about their experiences working with MD Olivier and highlighted aspects of his leadership that had made an impression on them.

One of the issues repeatedly mentioned by staff was the improved communication between management and employees during his tenure. Employees said they became more comfortable expressing their views, sharing concerns and speaking openly about issues affecting them. They noted that such matters were often addressed through dialogue and amicable resolution.

Staff also recalled the establishment of RENL’s social media platforms during MD Olivier’s tenure. According to them, the initiative helped to increase the company’s visibility and allowed more people to know about RENL, its operations and activities.

His attention to employee welfare and relationships with the host communities was also acknowledged. Representatives of the communities spoke about his accessibility and willingness to engage with stakeholders during his time as Managing Director.

Speaking at the send-forth activities, MD Olivier expressed his appreciation to the entire RENL workforce for the confidence, cooperation and support they gave him throughout his tenure, he said the support of employees had enabled him to carry out his responsibilities effectively, adding that he valued the opportunity they gave him to lead the company.

MD Olivier also acknowledged his management team for standing by him throughout his tenure and for working with him in making important decisions and addressing issues affecting the organisation.

Reflecting on his departure, he said leaving RENL was not easy because the relationship he had built with employees had gone beyond the workplace, he described the RENL workforce as a family, saying the employees had demonstrated through their support, cooperation and relationship with him that they considered him part of the family.

He also encouraged the staff to maintain the spirit of teamwork and extend the same support and cooperation to Aba George, the new Managing Director of RENL.