BY PATRICK MGBODO
THE Delta State Government, yesterday, raised the bar on workers’ welfare with measures to equip civil servants nearing retirement for a stable and productive life after service.
To this end, the Directorate of Establishment and Pensions in the Office of the Head of Service, in partnership with De-Daf and Associates, commenced a two-day pre-retirement seminar for civil servants in the state.
Declaring the seminar open, the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Mininim Oseji, recognised the contributions of civil servants in executing government business and shaping the state’s progress.
The Head of Service said the pre-retirement seminar was geared to ensuring proper retirement for the concerned officers and equipping them with the necessary knowledge to finish strong.
According to her, ‘’The pre-retirement training for civil servants is geared to ensure proper planning and preparation for the next phase of life after retirement. It is essential to ensure that you are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to transition smoothly into the next chapter of your lives.
‘’Retirement is not the end of productivity, but rather, it is a new beginning, an opportunity to explore new horizons, pursue long-held passions which may have been kept at bay due to the restrictions of the public service.
‘’This workshop is therefore designed to empower you with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to navigate this significant life transformation with confidence and optimism’’ the HoS said.
Dr Oseji further added that the Office of the Head of Service has developed an evaluation framework to monitor the impact of such training programmes, just as she enjoined participants to make the best use of such an opportunity.
Earlier, the functioning Permanent Secretary of the Directorate of Establishment and Pensions, Mr Kingsley Olumukoro, stressed the need for public servants to plan adequately for retirement in view of the challenges associated with collecting retirement benefits.
‘’Therefore, this workshop is specifically designed to enable participants to plan and prepare early for retirement to scale the hurdles that retirement throws up. It is expected that at the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and competence in personal financial planning and entrepreneurship. It is expected that after the training, prospective retirees will be able to plan and guard against uncertainties’’ he said.
Remarking, the Consultant, Engr Solomon Esedafe of De-Daf Associates, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Dr Oseji for ensuring that the seminar was a reality. On behalf of the participants, Mr Samuel Okonye of the State Waste Management Board thanked the Head of Service for her commitment to restructuring the state civil service.
