By Stanley Onyekwere
The Secretary, Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido has tasked civil servants on retirement plans, so as to have a better welfare for themselves.
Candido equally noted that, politicians and civil servants are necessarily partners , when they work in unison there will be greater success.
He made this assertion at a sent forth party organised for the retiring Director of Administration and Finance (DAF) of the Secretariat, Malam Usman Musa Yahaya, over the weekend, in Abuja.
According to him: “35 years of service will still come, when it comes let it not meet you unprepared. My advice for those who are still in service is that, they should start planning toward their retirement. Plan from your salary as you retire and land safely.
“I don’t like a situation where you retire and become a liability, I have seen cases where people who retired two, three years ago, look like people who never had the opportunity to work at all. We need to plan from the little salary we earn.
“Farming is a good job, and is the side hustle that was recommended for civil servants, you must not farm in Abuja, you can go to neighbouring states to farm, farming is very lucrative”.
Furthermore, Candido, who is the immediate past Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), opined that, politicians and civil servants are necessary partners, if you don’t listen to their advice, you may find yourself in a mess. You can also be frustrated by policies and bureaucracy of civil service.
While commending the celebrant, Candido praised him for his dedication to duties, saying, “
I would have wondered if I heard anything different from those who had spoken earlier.
“We have known for years, I never knew we are going to work together. It is not how long but how well. And the remarks have been how well.
“We will continue to pray for you. Sometimes, I used to be afraid of civil service, but he gave me hope”.
He, however, charged other civil servants to advice him whenever he erred, in order to adjust and do the right thing.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Director, Traffic Management, Alhaji Wadata Bodinga described the retiring DAF as a humbly and loyal civil servant, whose approach to work is worthy of emulation.
He said: “We are going to miss him in the Secretariat, for his ability to carry everyone along. We will continue to tap from his wealth of experience and hope that he will avail us the opportunity to render his service to the Secretariat”.
On his part, the outgoing DAF, Usman Musa Yahaya, thanked God for sparing his life to see the completion of his service years.
He also thanked the Secretary, who insisted that the occasion be put in place.
He therefore wished, the secretary were with them long ago, saying, “your few stay with us shows that you are a good leader”.
