THE desire of every worker, particularly those in government employment, is to retire with sufficient resources to meet personal needs and cater for dependents thereafter. Unfortunately, this aspiration was not always realised. Many public servants, upon attaining the mandatory 60 years of age or 35 years of service, found themselves grappling with a loss of purpose and fulfilment, a situation that left many vulnerable and in despair.
It was therefore gratifying that the Delta State Government, through the Office of the Head of Service, Directorate of Establishment and Pensions, in partnership with De-Daff Associates, organised a two-day pre-retirement workshop aimed at equipping prospective retirees with knowledge and skills required for a healthy, productive and meaningful retirement.
At the seminar, which drew participants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), held in Asaba, the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, aptly observed that retirement should not mark the end of productivity but rather, should signal a new beginning, an opportunity to explore fresh horizons and pursue long-suppressed passions often constrained by the rigours of service.
Her emphasis on early planning for retirement deserves commendation. It is disheartening to see men and women who devoted their youthful years to public service become frail and unsettled in later life, unable to find rest or relevance. Many retirees, ill-prepared for life after service, were confronted with a cocktail of challenges, ranging from financial strain and health issues to emotional distress.
These realities fueled anxiety among serving officers who, having failed to plan, as it were, resorted to desperate measures, such as falsifying records to prolong their service years. This apprehension was further heightened by the persistent delays in the payment of retirement benefits, an unfortunate reality that continues to undermine faith in the system.
This is why the organisers of the pre-retirement workshop deserve applause for helping to change the narrative. By preparing officers well ahead of time, the initiative empowers them to confront retirement with confidence, rather than fear. Properly enlightened civil servants are more likely to plan effectively for the future, embrace retirement as a natural phase of service, and avoid being defeated by it.
However, while such enlightenment is crucial, the government must also address the perennial issue of delayed pension payments. If retirees are assured that their entitlements will be paid within a reasonable period, say, six months or fewer after retirement, planning and post-service adjustment would become far less daunting. Yet, do not lose sight of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s intervention in this direction.
Delays in accessing pension benefits often breed frustration, which in turn gave rise to various social and psychological challenges in retirement. With timely payment of benefits, few civil servants would prefer to cling to service, rather than enjoy a well-earned rest with their families or rediscover themselves.
We call for the sustenance of the pre-retirement workshop. It should not be treated as a one-off intervention, but institutionalised. Ideally, it should be made compulsory for new entrants into the civil service, enabling them to internalise its lessons early in their careers, rather than waiting until the twilight of service when meaningful adjustments become difficult.
Civil servants themselves must take responsibility for their future. Having a viable ‘Plan B’ is no longer optional, as total dependence on pensions is increasingly risky in the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainties. Seeking professional financial advice can pay long-term dividends. Beyond financial planning, attention to health and lifestyle choices is equally important, as only those who are healthy can truly enjoy a productive and fulfilling retirement.
