The Local Government Establishments, Training and Pensions Office has commenced a three-day training workshop for senior officers about to retire from the State public service.
Speaking at the commencement of the training workshop held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) Magodo, on Monday, and tagged “Pre- Retirement Skill Acquisition Workshop for Retiring Senior Officers in the Unified Local Government Service”, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishments, Training and Pensions Office, Mrs. Bolarinwa Kikelomo, said the programme will focus on acquiring competence and innovative skills for entrepreneurship development in diverse areas in a bid to empower participants to be self-reliant employers of labour with a regular source of income after retirement.
She explained that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu realised that retirees could still be actively-engaged in different vocations that will make them continue to contribute their quota to society while in retirement.
“Retirement is not a death sentence, though you are retiring but definitely not tired. You have sacrificed the better part of your life for the development of the State and you cannot be left uncared for now that you’re about to retire. Hence, the need to further engage you in training that will make you employers of labour”, the Permanent Secretary said.
Urging all the participants to seize the opportunity provided by the government through the training and make the best use of it, Mrs. Bolarinwa noted that the workshop will focus on textile design, soap making, Ankara craft, fashion design, facial makeup, gele tying, barbing, pedicure and screen printing, in order to provide participants with various options.
She also enjoined all participants to be modest in their lifestyle, take health management seriously and learn financial literacy.
In her contribution, Mrs. Morenike Makinde of Lagos State Pension Commission took the retirees through the process of things to be done before and after retirement.
She said the Lagos State Pension Reform Law was enacted in 2007 to back up the restructured scheme, while the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was introduced in April 2007 to mark the departure from the Pay-As-You-Go scheme.
Mrs. Makinde explained further that the accrued retirement benefit rights will be due for payment to each employee on the date he/she attains age 60 or 35 years in Service, adding that the accrued retirement benefit rights for each employee shall be acknowledged through the issuance of a bond.
She commended the efforts of the Sanwo-Olu led administration in ensuring prompt payment of retirees’ gratuity after retirement.
One of the Participants, Mrs. Finnih, Administrative and Human Resource Unit, Iru LCDA, appreciated Mr. Governor and the organisers of the laudable initiative, requesting however that the period of the training should be extended in future sessions.
Also, Mr. Ola Abayomi, from Eredo LCDA, also expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the training, advising that more of such programmes should be organised not only for prospective retirees but also for those still in Service.
