Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri- Okunola has assured all the public servants of the State Government commitment to ensure that life are meaningful to them after retirement.
This statement was made while declaring open the maiden edition of A- 2 Day training and sensitization programme being organized by the Post Service Department, Public Service Office, Office of the Head of Service for the highly regarded, retired but not tired senior citizens held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, The Secretariat, Alausa Ikeja.
He maintained that over the years, it has been observed with great concern how many Retirees struggle to launch business ventures with little or no success stories which sometimes results in emotional and mental stress.
‘’It is against this backdrop that the State Government thought it wise to introduce this bespoke learning event to ensure that Retirees are schooled in the art of running successful profit-making Enterprises’’ he stated.
He stated further that the theme for this year’s event, which is “A start-up guide for a retiring / retired Public Servant”, is not only apt but also critical and germane to ensure economic and social relief for retirees, saying that as senior citizens who have worked tirelessly to sustain Lagos State as a Centre of Excellence deserves the best after retirement.
Speaking on behalf of the Head of Service, at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr Samson Ajibade, reiterated that the objectives of the programme include creating a mindset change in retirees, exposure to opportunities available in farming, SMEs, export, empowerment of retirees with competencies and innovative skills, mentoring, reduction of physical and emotional stress and ultimately, eradication of poverty.
He emphasized that the training programme will bring about broad base awareness and appreciation of business opportunities that abound in our environment while being equipped with the requisite skills needed for take-off for all the retires.
He thereby commended the demonstrated commitment of the leadership of the Post Service Department to educate and retrain the retirees for the 2-day training programme, just as he express his gratitude to all the facilitators and the retirees alike for honouring the invitation.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Post Service Department, Mrs. Bukola Durodola, commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for granting the approval in anticipation to an insightful and impactful training programme geared toward improving the socio-economic development of our retirees and Lagos State as a whole.
She reiterated that the training programme was to enlighten all the retirees on how to manage whatever business they engage effectively and to make impact and be impactful.
She thereby urged all the retirees not to relent in engaging themselves in all sorts of community services within their respective localities, just as she assured them of the continuous monitoring of their wellbeing.
One of the benefiaries, Mr Adedeji Olabamiji, who was trained in soap making and germicide, appreciated the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for having the interest of all the retirees at heart, saying that what he was trained for will be impactful in his life.
He added that he was overwhelmed for being empowered with the necessary materials and other equipment to start the production and processing of what he was taught at the 2-day training programme.
