By Oluwaseun Sonde
Nigerian Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has urged the Ministry Retirees to get involve with some productive activities, while encouraged them to continue to apply the same dedication used in service to their after service life.
The Minister who made the call at the Retirement Party of the Finance, Budget and National Planning Ministry in Abuja on Friday, told them that they are retired but not tired, as there are still lots of energy in them to achieve alot more, advised them to make good use of their expertises gathered in the Ministry.
According to her, "Let me seize this opportunity to remind you that retiring is a must and that is where we are today but my father used to say that people congratulate you when you get a job but the most appropriate time someone need to be congratulated is when someone exile the job honorably".
She congratulated the Retirees for honorably completing their tenure of service to the nation. "I want to encourage all our highly esteem retired officers in this Ministry to continue to apply the dedication you used when you were serving because your will need the dedication in your after service life.
"You are retired but not tired, there is still a lot of energy in you to achieve alot more, so please get involve in some productive activities, your community need you, humanity need you and the expertises you gathered in this Ministry can be put to good use", Ahmed added.
The Minister guaranteed the Retirees that there are opportunities out there that are waiting for them. "Please don't sit back and lock yourself up in the house while opportunities will come and pass you bye, be around and be up and doing".
Ahmed pointed out the reason why the ministry are called the "engine room" of the Federal Government of Nigeria, adding that it's because of their selfless services, their devotion beyond call to duty. "All thanks to almighty Allah for enabling you to retire meritoriously after your service to the nation.
"Your service years in this ministry have find every staff of this ministry to be very supportive, the people that work day and night have experienced peace in this ministry since I came in and I have seen people who work beyond the call of duty and that tells you the callibal of personnel we have in this ministry", she said.
The Minister further said it's a mixed feeling seeing them leaving that they will be greatly missed. "The feeling is mutual. Sometimes you work with some people and feel they are not only staff but see them as family members, this has been part of the Finance Ministry when people work together and see themselves as family members".
Ahmed prayed that Allah in His infinite mercy direct their path through cost of life they set out for, wished them all the best in their post retirement life with God's guidance, protection and healthy life.
Earlier, in his Goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary Finance, Aliyu Ahmed said without hesitation that the Ministry is proud of the Retirees. "And indeed count it a privilege to send them forth into the world out there as worthy ambassadors of this Ministry after many years of working together.
"It is with shivering reluctant that we are letting you go but go we must all that's the nature of service. We will surely miss you, however we are sure that the ministry has built in you, your knowledge and experience to see you through the next face your life and career", he added.
The Perm Sec said he has no doubt that the Retirees will continue to uphold the principles as well as the best tradition of the Civil service in all their future endeavors. "We encourage you to stay in touch as there are so much to benefit from your wealth of experience. We wish you a long and happy retirement with sound health, joy and happiness".
In another vein, Permanent Secretary Special Duty, Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi prayed for the Retirees that their after service will be better than their service years, advised both the serving ones and the Retirees of the Ministry not to be idle, should learn one or two things for their betterment.
The Union Representatives thanked the Minister for responding fast to the needs of the workers, adding that since the Minister's resumption, celebration of Retirees have not gotten any issue, saying Finance, Budget and National Planning Ministry has set the pace for others to follow.
He thanked the Retirees for their service rendered to the Ministry and added that they will be missed alot, also advised the serving ones to do good that whatever someone does in service would be someone's reward in retirement, while prayed that the Retirees will not experience bad things after service.
Comments