To serve as a catalyst for financial security and continued healthy living, the Lagos State Government has trained and empowered 733 of its retirees.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, made the disclosure at the end of a two-day fish-farming workshop organised for the retirees by the Post Service Department, Office of the Head of Service in Alausa, Ikeja.
The Head of Service, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Samson Olusegun Ajibade, said the quarterly training and empowerment programme was part of the social and economic relief initiatives designed to equip retirees with competencies and entrepreneurial skills needed to run profitable business ventures.
Muri-Okunola said: “The programme commenced about a year ago and to date, a total number of 733 retirees have been trained and empowered in different vocations. It is also heart-warming to let you know that I have been reliably informed that some of these beneficiaries are already running their businesses and are now employers of labour.”
Disclosing that one of the facilitators at the training, Mr. Michael Ogunbukola, was also a beneficiary of the programme, the Head of Service said the programme creates financial security and serves as a catalyst for healthy living, just as it reduced emotional and physical stress in retirement. He advised beneficiaries to deploy the knowledge acquired during the training programme in their chosen business ventures.
Delivering her remarks, the Director, Post Service Department, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Bukola Durodola, urged all the participants to count themselves lucky and encouraged them to also take advantage of all the State government programmes and facilities set up for retirees.
The Secretary of the third set of trainees, Mr. Kajopelaiye Ola-Olanrewaju, while reading the communique stated that the purpose of the training was accomplished and expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for initiatives introduced to support Lagos State retirees.
At the end of the exercise, each of the trainees was given fingerlings and fish pond plastics to start up their businesses.
