Prepare for retirement from early stage, Delta HoS tells civil servants

Delta State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Mininim Oseji, has advised civil servants and other workers to prepare for retirement from the early stages of their careers, stressing that financial security is determined not merely by income but by effective financial management.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association, the Head of Service urged workers to cultivate a savings culture and invest in legitimate ventures such as real estate, treasury bills, agribusiness, writing, publishing and other income-generating activities.

“There is money everywhere. Don’t wait until you are about to retire,” Oseji said, warning workers against delaying retirement planning until their final years in service.

She also cautioned public servants against corruption, stressing that financial pressure should never be an excuse for compromising integrity.

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“If you like, give them more money, they will still be broke,” she said, emphasising the importance of financial counselling, discipline and responsible wealth management.

Oseji further encouraged younger professionals to acquire relevant skills and look beyond government employment, noting that entrepreneurship, professional services, agriculture, volunteer work and other productive ventures could provide sustainable opportunities.

In another presentation titled “How to Live Well After Retirement,” Mr. Solomon Ehikwe observed that many people spend their working years accumulating wealth only to expend their retirement resources treating health conditions.

He stressed that retirement could be an enjoyable and productive phase of life when workers prepared adequately and adjusted their lifestyles appropriately.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman of the association, Mrs. Stella Macaulay, said, “Retirement should not be seen as the end of productivity or relevance, but as the beginning of another meaningful chapter of life,” linking the theme of the lecture to the need for individuals to prepare adequately for life beyond active service.

She urged members and participants to prioritise their health, make sound financial decisions and remain purposefully engaged in their families, professions and communities.

She said her administration was committed to moving the association beyond routine meetings and social gatherings to a platform capable of delivering meaningful value to members and the wider society.

She said the branch would, in the next one year, focus on strengthening member participation, improving communication and welfare programmes, promoting professional and business networking, encouraging knowledge-sharing across generations and developing initiatives that would have a tangible impact.

“Our collective strength is our greatest asset,” Macaulay declared, urging members to contribute ideas, resources and constructive support towards the advancement of the association.

The Chairman expressed appreciation to the keynote speaker, Delta State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Mininim Oseji, for sharing her experience and insights on financial stability and retirement planning.

She also acknowledged the Special Guest of Honour, Engr. Kenneth Preyor, Chairman, House Committee on Works/Special Projects, Delta State House of Assembly and Member representing Bomadi Constituency, as well as the Royal Father of the Day, HRM Jackson Angalabiri, Egbain II of Kumbowei Kingdom, Delta State.

The event featured a free medical outreach where participants received blood pressure screening and health education on preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles.

A medical practitioner, Dr. Danny Odianose, advised adults to make regular blood pressure checks a priority, noting that early detection remained critical to preventing serious health complications. He identified family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, stressful work conditions and inadequate sleep among factors associated with hypertension.

The Vice Chairman and Executive Assistant to the Delta Governor on Health Monitoring, Dr. Christopher Otene, who led the medical team, joined health practitioners in sensitising participants on the importance of preventive healthcare.