NDE boss urges public officials to acquire life skills for smooth retirement

Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Silas Agara has emphasized the importance of life skills development for public officials in Nigeria, particularly as they approach retirement.

He made this call during a presentation titled “Life Skills: Preparing for Retirement” to participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos Plateau State.

Agara stressed that acquiring life skills is crucial for retired public servants to maintain their wellbeing and remain relevant after service.

He also highlighted the inadequacies of the Nigerian retirement system, urging officials to think creatively and explore alternative sources of income.

The NDE Director General recommended that retirees consider ventures such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and interpersonal communication skills.

He also called on the Federal Government to strengthen pension administration, provide resource centers for skills training, and implement robust health and wellness programs for retirees.

Additionally, Agara suggested addressing funding and implementation challenges, streamlining pension contributions, combating corruption in pension administration, and promoting technology integration policies.

The Senior Executive Course 47 at NIPSS has 43 participants from national and sub-national governments, the military, and para-military organizations.

NIPSS serves as a think-tank and policy research center, supporting Nigeria’s policy-making process and promoting strategic thinking and leadership development.