FCTA moves to ease exit for retiring staff, mandates pre-retirement training

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Engr. Emeka Ezeh, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a seamless, dignified transition for retiring workers, describing retirement as the beginning of a fresh chapter rather than a death sentence.

Speaking during a one-day interactive pre-retirement workshop organized for staff scheduled to retire between September and December 2024, Engr. Ezeh noted that the initiative stems from the establishment of the Office of the Head of Service and the FCT Civil Service Commission approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2024, under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ezeh stated that under the leadership of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the hope of civil servants in the Territory has been fully restored, opening career pathways for personnel to rise to the positions of Permanent Secretaries and Head of Service.

“Ever since, the hope of civil servants in the FCT has been renewed—they can now rise to become Permanent Secretaries and Head of Service.

“As part of our mandate and welfare package directed by the Honourable Minister, we found it necessary to prepare those retiring between September and December for life after public office.

“This one-day interactive session equips them with the skills and information necessary for an easy exit, reminding them that retirement is not a death sentence, but the beginning of a new phase of life,” Ezeh said.

Echoing the Chairman’s remarks, the Acting Head of Civil Service, FCTA, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, disclosed that approximately 100 staff members currently scheduled for retirement are participating in the inaugural batch of the quarterly training initiative.

According to Mrs. Nathan, the workshop ensures that retiring officers resolve all administrative documentation with their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and the FCT Pension Board while still in active service to prevent post-exit bottlenecks.

“This session ensures they handle necessary documentation with their PFAs and the Pension Board while still in active service, eliminating the burden of chasing files after exit.

“For any unresolved complaints, the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Common Services) and the Director of Pension will handle them directly.

“This program will run continuously on a quarterly basis,” Mrs. Nathan explained.

She added that the FCTA remains dedicated to celebrating personnel who have dedicated up to 35 years of service, encouraging them to engage in community development, faith-based activities, and mentorship programs for younger officers.

Sharing his perspective, one of the retiring participants, Mr. Ogogo Chris—who retired as a Chief from the FCT Water Board after serving at the Lower Usuma Dam site since 1991—commended the Commission for the timely intervention.

“I started work in 1991 on Level 3 and today I am retiring as a Chief at the Lower Usuma Dam site. Preparation is all about preparing your mind, which I did many years back.

“My advice to those in service is that dedication to work pays. I have made up my mind, and I am retiring not to go and die—I will overcome.

“Just as they say, retirement is not the end of life; once you are dedicated to your work, God will reward you,” Ogogo said.