With current innovations over the processes of retirement in Ondo State, Ondo State Government and the office of Head of Service have been commended for making life less cumbersome for those who are about to retire.
Officers that are to retire in 2022 made the commendation at one-day sensitization workshop organized for them by the office of Head of Service (HOS) under the leadership of Pastor John Adeyemo.
The workshop that was held at Adegbemile Cultural Centre on Thursday February 10, 2022, drawn participants from across the 18 local government areas of the state.
While speaking at the event, the Head of Service of Ondo State, Pastor John Adeyemo said the meeting was designed for officers that are retiring from active service of Ondo State Government this year with a view to assisting them to have their papers processed with ease.
In his words: “We told them what they can do post retirement, which will keep them healthy to enable them to enjoy the dividends of their labour. And the kind of business they can do after retirement. like I said, the issue of ‘I am directed’ will no longer be there they will be directing themselves.
“This type of training has been in our status quo before and we have to keep it up and even to do more to make sure people don’t see retirement as a death sentence, rather as a way of rest after meritorious service to the state.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Pension Transition Department, Ondo State, Mr. Oladele Felix Akinmoye said the purpose of the workshop was to educate them on what it takes in processing their papers before, during and after retirement to enable them reduce unnecessary stress after retirement as well as removing administrative bottleneck as all the processes have been computerized.
“We have told them all that matters as regard retirement so that anybody can not just take advantage of the people and exploit them. If anybody should asks them for any money they should report to me or to the HOS.
“As part of the sensitization we informed them about what they can do to keep fit after retirement. Old age has its own challenges, someone who wakes up early in the morning and rush to work. When he/she is retires he can wake up any time he/she likes and before you know it, he will be putting on weight; So Doctor informed them of the likely exercise diet that will keep them healthy.
“We also opened their eyes to businesses they can do to keep them economically fit as well. You know, our business environment is very volatile, if you take your gratuities and invest it in a business and put some people there to look after it, they may embezzle all the money if care is not taken.
The PS also pointed out that the occasion afforded the participants ample opportunity to interact saying that many of them have not seen themselves for quite some years.
Akinmoye also used the medium to commend the HOS, Pastor John Adeyemo for the good job he has been doing since he came on board saying that he did not maintain the good legacies he inherited but also added more values to the system.
“For example, teachers before now will have to go to AEO office for clearance, and NYSC certificate which HOS has removed to make things easy for them.
“We have developed portal for the purpose of accessing all the data of people that are going to retire and he (HOS) approved it. ‘He said we don’t need to pull out people from far places like Akoko, Ese-Odo and so on to come and be doing screening in Akure for many days’.
“Now many of these people who are about to retire can upload their data at the comfort of their homes. That is the level of development we have attained under the leadership of current HOS.
Some of the participants used the medium to ask questions on gray areas and commended the leadership of HOS and Ondo State government for the job well done.