The Lagos State Government has urged 341 officers retiring from the Unified Local Government Service to begin planning for life after public service.
It urged them to prioritise their health, finances and continued productivity.
The advice came at a pre-retirement training organised by the Office of the Local Government Establishments and Training (OLGE&T) at the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA Secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos, on Wednesday.
The training, themed, “Beyond Retirement: Preparing for a Healthy, Purposeful and Prosperous Chapter,” was held to prepare the officers for life after active service.
The Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning, Wasiu Olayinka, urged the retirees to prepare adequately for retirement and pay greater attention to their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
He advised them to maintain healthy habits, undergo regular medical check-ups and engage in activities that promote a balanced life.
“After many years of meeting the demands of public service, you must now maintain healthy habits, undertake regular medical check-ups and make time for activities that promote a balanced and fulfilling life. The objective is not merely to retire from work, but to retire into a life that is healthy, meaningful, and worthwhile,” Agoro said.
Agoro also urged workers who are yet to retire to begin planning for retirement early.
The Permanent Secretary, OLGE&T, Toyin Ogunlana, said the retiring officers had contributed their time, knowledge, skills and experience to public service and local communities.
She urged them to consider options such as starting businesses, learning new skills, investing, mentoring younger people and serving their communities after retirement.
“It can be the opportunity to pursue that business you have always thought about, to learn a new skill, invest, mentor younger people, serve your community, spend more time with family and finally make room for the things that years of demanding public service may have placed on the back burner,” Ogunlana said.
Ogunlana said retirement planning should begin while workers are still in active service, urging the officers to prepare for their future, families and personal interests.
Some retired officers at the event also advised the retiring workers to remain active after leaving public service, particularly through regular exercise and other activities that could prevent a sedentary lifestyle.
