By Abolaji Adebayo
Lagos State Government has trained another 50 retired public servants in vocational skills to keep them engaged after retirement.
Encouraging the beneficiaries at the closing ceremony of a 2-day skill acquisition programme organised for the retirees on Wednesday, the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, charged the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity to their advantage.
According to to him the programme is to help the retirees engage in handiworks that would keep them busy and make money.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday, Muri-Okunola said the quarterly training programme was in continuation of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment at ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of retired civil servants.
He confirmed that the retirees have gathered entrepreneurial skills and other income earning ventures that would guarantee social and economic relief, reduction in emotional and physical stress and eradication of poverty.
Muri-Okunola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade, stated that he had no doubt that the event of the last two days had been exciting, educative, interactive and had fully showcased the attributes of a professional engagement compere.
He congratulated the beneficiaries of the skill acquisition programme and hoped that they had been well imparted to put to practice all they had been taught, not only to generate extra income, but to keep them active and in shape in retirement.
Muri-Okunola said the administration of Sanwo-Olu over the last three years
had been very resolute in its commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of retirees of Lagos State Public Service.
Earlier in her address, the Director, Post Service Department, Mrs. Bukola Durodola noted that the training and sensitization programme was to better the life of the retirees after they have left active service of Lagos State Public Service.
She maintained that the training would enable them to interface with other retirees, just as it will make them to be independent when been invites for the wedding engagement.
“We ensure that there is continuous training for all the retirees, which is
good for their mental health and reduce being lonely now that they are no more engage in any active work.”
The beneficiaries were taught Gele tying, packaging of gift items and others.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Olushola Adekola, appreciated the Lagos State Governor for his commitment to the plight of the retirees.
She maintained that the training would enable them to be more relevant and useful to themselves and make them to be healthy.
She assured the present administration on behalf of other beneficiaries that they would not disappoint them with the opportunity given to them.
