16th December, 2021
The Lagos State Government has trained and empowered 733 retirees in the state in different vocations in order to earn a living in retirement.
Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola disclosec this on Wednesday at the end of the 2-day workshop on fish farming organised for the retirees by the Post Service Department, Office of the Head of Service at T Block, Conference Room, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa, Ikeja.
Muir-Okunola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Samson Ajibade, said the training and empowerment programme was part of the social and economic relief initiatives aimed at equipping retirees of the state public service on a quarterly basis with requisite competencies and entrepreneurial skills needed to run profitable business ventures in retirement.
“The programme commenced about a year ago and to date, a total number of seven hundred and thirty retirees have been trained and empowered in different vocations
“It is also heartwarming to let you know that I have reliably informed that some of these beneficiaries are already running their businesses and are now employers of labour”, Muri-Okunola said.
He also said that one of the facilitators for the training, Mr. Michael Ogunbukola, is one of them.
“Be informed that apart from financial security, engaging in various income-earning activities would also serve as tonic /catalyst for maintenance and proper functioning of your bodies, minds and souls, thereby reducing emotional and physical stress, I therefore urge you to be courageous to put into good use all that has been imparted during the course of this programme”, he said.
Director, Post Service Department, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Bukola Durodola, urged all participants to count themselves lucky, just as she encouraged them to also take advantage of all the state government’s programmes and facilities aimed at such purpose.
Each of the trainees was given fingerlings and fish pond plastic to start up their businesses.
The Secretary of the Third set of the trainees, Mr. Kajopelaiye Ola- Olanrewaju, commended the state government for the gesture.