The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Saki West Local Government Branch, has honoured three retirees of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission at a sendforth programme organised in recognition of their years of dedicated service.
The retirees celebrated at the occasion were Alhaji ESV Tunji Rasaq Abidiesin, Alhaji Rasheed Adetunji Oke and Comrade Shittu Yekeen Adeniyi
The event, which attracted family members, friends, colleagues and other dignitaries, featured a lecture by the Guest Speaker, Alhaji Khalid Adebayo Ajibade, titled “Life After Retirement and How to Turn Retirement into a New Life.”
In his lecture, Ajibade urged the retirees to view retirement not as the end of their usefulness or productive lives, but as an opportunity to begin a new and meaningful chapter.
He congratulated the three celebrants on successfully completing their years of service and expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving them throughout their careers and enabling them to witness both the beginning and completion of their service with the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.
Ajibade noted that retirement is often misunderstood because the word can create the impression that a person’s usefulness has come to an end. He explained that after spending about 30 to 35 years in active service, many civil servants become deeply attached to their official responsibilities, with offices, files, meetings and daily assignments occupying a significant part of their lives.
He reminded the retirees that the demands of active service often required them to report as early as 8am and, on some occasions, remain at work until 4pm or even 8pm. According to him, retirement now gives them the opportunity to reclaim their time and devote themselves to other meaningful pursuits.
The guest speaker stressed that retirement should be seen as a transition rather than a declaration that an individual’s “time is over” or that he or she is “no longer useful.” He encouraged the retirees to draw on the experience, knowledge and skills acquired during their years of service to mentor younger people and contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and society.
He further advised them to consider productive ventures such as entrepreneurship, agriculture and community development, emphasising that leaving paid employment does not mean leaving a life of purpose.
Ajibade therefore charged the retirees to approach their new phase of life with optimism, proper planning and a renewed sense of purpose, describing retirement as the beginning of a new life rather than the end of the old one.
Speaking at the occasion, the NULGE Chairman, Saki West Local Government Branch, Comrade Ajuwon Ibraheem Ayinde, commended the three retirees for their selfless years of service, describing them as worthy ambassadors who distinguished themselves while in active service.
In their goodwill messages, dignitaries at the event described the retirees as good and worthy personalities whose contributions deserved to be recognised and celebrated.
In response, the celebrants thanked NULGE Saki West Local Government Branch for honouring them and celebrating their years of service. They prayed for the success of the Ajuwon-led NULGE administration and thanked their relatives, friends, colleagues and other guests for gracing the occasion.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Alhaji Sarafadeen Shittu Arowojeka, Chairman, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Division Saki; Alhaji Nasiru Abidiesin; Alhaji Ayuba Oke; ESV Nafiu Shittu; Alhaji Rasheed Durojaye; Alhaji Yinusa Ajibike; Comrade Muideen Aderogba; Mrs Aderogba Hadizat Olajumoke; Mrs Bunmi Adeniran; members of Crescent Club; members of The Great Club of Oke-Ogun; NULGE executives; and several other dignitaries.
