Education

Lawmaker Calls for Implementation of Teachers Retirement Age

By Web News 404

By Mosope Kehinde

Lawmaker representing Atiba State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Gbenga Oyekola has called for the adoption and implementation of the recently enacted Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

In a motion titled; Need For Adoption And Implementation Of The New Sixty Five (65) Years Retirement Age And Forty (40) Years Length of Service For Teachers Of Oyo State” presented before the house, Mr. Oyekola who is the Chief Whip maintained that the federal government position should be domesticated in Oyo State.

The lawmaker emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation’s educational system and aligns with global recommendations.

While noting that seven states, including Ondo, Imo, and Kano, have promptly embraced the directive to harmonize retirement age and service years, Mr Oyekola urges Oyo State to follow suit.

The motion which was seconded by Mr. Saminu Ridwan representing Atisbo/Saki-East state Constituency, emphasized that the new retirement age stipulates compulsory retirement at 65 or after 40 years of pensionable service, superseding any conflicting regulations.

The Assembly however urged the Executive Arm to engage with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Chapter on the matter.

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Education

Oluwatoyin Ayodele Bows Out of Service as School Principal

By Web News 654

By Modupe Toba

There is a saying that ’’there is time for everything, a time to work and time to rest’’.

For the Principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model High School 2, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ayodele, the time to rest commenced on ….when she finally bid the four walls of the secondary school farewell after thirty five years of meritorious service. 

The event held at the school premises, Mokola, Ibadan witnessed the presence of family members, friends, students of the school, NUT chairman Ibadan North, Mr Salau Taiwo, ANCOPPS Chairperson, Ibadan North, Mrs Fatima Okunlola who performed the pen down, the Assistant Director, News and Current Affairs, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mrs Morenike Esan and other dignitaries.

Some of the officials of the school showered encomiums on Mrs Ayodele, describing her as a trustworthy and hardworking mentor, who in no small measure influenced them positively.

The Vice Principal Academics, Mr Mustapha described Mrs Ayodele as a virtuous woman worthy of emulation.

Some of the teachers viewed Mrs Ayodele as a mother who had impacted  their lives and contributed immensely to the development of the school.

In her reaction, the retiring Principal, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ayodele while appreciating God for the journey so far, lauded all the staff for their support and cooperation, urging them to continue the good works.

Mrs Ayodele, who could not hide her joy that she signed out of Oyo State Teaching Commission, recounted how  the thirty five years journey started with her late mother who encouraged her to take the job offer when she was transferred to Imesi Ile Grammar School as a 21year old lady.

Highlights of the programme included presentation of gifts, songs and poem rendition by the students while special prayers were offered for Mrs Ayodele.

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Lifestyle

President Buhari Congratulates FRCN Director Of News, Sani Mohammed Suleiman On 60th Birthday, Retirement

By Web News 1405

President Muhammadu Buhari joins the media, particularly the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors and Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria, BON, in celebrating with the Director of News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Sani Mohammed Suleiman, on his 60th birthday, February 18, 2022.

President Buhari sends warm felicitations to family, friends and associates of the broadcast journalist, who dedicated 35 years of service to the nation, working selflessly to promote unity and development in the country, especially as the head of news in the wide and far-reaching station for many years.

The President believes Suleiman’s knack for details, penchant for excellence, diligence and sense of patriotism, which are hallmarks of a well-trained editor, contributed to his many successes within and outside the newsroom, easily placing him in position for leadership, recognitions and awards.

As the Director of News bows out of the service of the FRCN, the President affirms that his worth and experience of travelling and networking, and organising resources to ensure effective communication will now fully be utilized, particularly in his interest of mentoring younger journalists on fairness, balance and accuracy.

President Buhari urges Suleiman to remain relevant in his area of competence, and willingly inspire others on the right choices and tools for growth-focused journalism, and he prays for the wellbeing of the public servant and his family.

Niyi Akinleye

News Analysis

Need for Civil Servants to Plan ahead of Retirement

By Web News 709

Anything that has a beginning must have an end, just like there is time to be born and time to die.

For anyone in the Civil Service, the countdown begins once an employment letter is given and after spending approved years of service, disengagement letter is given and the agile workers turn to retirees, who have transformed from the young, vibrant and energetic individuals they were at the point of entry to old, wrinkled, weak, and perhaps, tired people at the point of their exit as public servants.

It is a must for civil servants to vacate their cherished and highly coveted offices for another phase of life outside the comfort zone of work either in the public or private sector.

Unfortunately, the world outside is sometimes frustrating, harsh, and uncertain for many retirees who are now forced to be on their own.

The experience can be hell on earth if one is not careful as monthly salaries, running cost, travel and duty tour allowances, access to banks and cooperative loans with salaries as collateral are no longer available.

 Worse still is the delay in the payment of gratuities, and if paid eventually at all, it is grossly inadequate to cater for bills, rents, feeding and other sundry expenses.                                                                                                      

This had cut short the life span of many retirees due to heavy burden and challenges of day-to-day living, though few retirees are lucky to maintain their status in retirement as a result of financial background.                                                    

But despite all these scary but realities of life, there is still hope.

To ensure graceful retirement, civil servants while in service should be disciplined, courageous, determined and prayerful even before their exit from service.                                                                                         

 The slogan of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, which is ‘rest is sweet after labour’, is very instructive. If you must have sweet rest after labour, start planning ahead of retirement.                              

This can be done by setting aside certain amount of money from your monthly salary, no matter how meagre for saving every month and this demands discipline and self-denial.

All legitimate income must be judiciously utilized, especially in the area of shelter.

Utilizing credit facilities while still in service can assist to make retirement comfortable and less painful.

Also, civil servants should invest more in getting good education for their children, who are expected to take care of their parents after retirement.

 Government must be transparent in the remittance of monthly pension of civil servants to their retirement savings account.

Above all, payment of gratuities and pensions must be paid immediately after disengagement.

Tayo Sanni

Lifestyle

I would have been a palm wine tapper in a village – FRCN director

By Web News 829

The outgoing Director, New Media, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, , Pastor Dare Olorunfemi has described his experience with the media platform as highly remarkable.

Pastor Olorunfemi while recounting his ups and downs in his thirty years’ service with FRCN said though he faced many challenges, God sustained him all through.

“You know what it means to be in a place for thirty years? I struggled to leave, adversaries forced me to leave, death attempted to force me to leave but God kept me. It is against my will to stay for thus long, it is against the will of my enemy but ultimately, it is the perfect will of God” He said.

The outgoing officer who recalled with nostalgia the gains of working with FRCN, hinted that the platform gave him the opportunity to climb higher echelon.

“The platform God used to take me to nations beyond my imagination, to meet people I wouldn’t have met in life, to step on platforms I wouldn’t have been able to step on otherwise. Today is very nostalgic because as I thank God for my life so far, and I also back look at a career path which God has used to raise me.”

“I used tell people, the greatest I would have been is a Palm wine tapper, hunter or both but God has done much more for me.”

Speaking on pen profession, Pastor Olorunfemi described it as “a big profession that provides the opportunity to serve God and his creation, a platform that gives voice of the voiceless, a voice to fight injustice, and a platform to be an advocate. On the other side, it could be a platform for adversaries where you do bad”.

 “Journalism is a two-edged sword, you can use it to the advancement of humanity, you can use it to create adversity, you can use it to actualise whatever God had deposited in you; as a teacher, counselor or whatever”

Pastor Olorunfemi, however, expressed regret that the value system in the journalism profession had been corrupted and standards have fallen as a result.

He added that crop of practitioners in recent times who were expected to know much about everything usually fall below the required standard.

Pastor Olorunfemi then charged practicing journalists to perform their role according to professional ethics of the job, so as to the profession to enviable heights.

Adedayo Adelowo