UNILAG SSANU Offers Insights To Pre/Post Retirement Life

The UNILAG Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), urged to have an effective plan for life before and after retirement. 

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) Branch have been urged to have an effective plan for life before and after retirement. 

The submission was made at a one-day seminar tagged: ’Life Before and After Retirement: Labour Perspective’’, organized by the Union.

Held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, the event brought together workers from the university; participants from other neighboring institutions including Lagos State University (LASU) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU); as well as executive officers of SSANU such as the Union’s National Vice-President and staunch member in the South-west zone at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Comrade (Dr). Abdussobur Salaam, among others. 

The seminar provided orientation and pre-retirement planning information for members. In addition, participants had the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge and tools needed to enjoy life after active service.

Addressing participants, the Chairman of the UNILAG SSANU Caretaker Committee, Comrade Razak Yusuf remarked that the seminar became imperative as a channel to engage and discuss pertinent issues as it affects SSANU members.

According to him, ‘’ … we observed that there’s a disconnect between the union and its members. As such, the prospect of serving our members better became very important for us, particularly, one that could provide us a stable and solid route to addressing issues’’.

In his presentation titled ‘’Labour Relations’’, a former Chairman of SSANU at the University of Ibadan, Barrister Sulayman Akinremi Adewale provided information on the contributory pension scheme. He provided insights on the recently issued Revised Regulation on the Administration of Retirement and Terminal Benefits and the National Pension Commission (PenCom). He took the audience through the process of claiming their pension upon retirement.

According to him, the Revised Regulation replaced the erstwhile Regulations for the Administration of Retirement and Terminal Benefits under the repealed Pension Reform Act (PRA), 2004, and sets out the procedures for application of the relevant sections of the PRA, 2014 to be adopted by Pension Fund operators for the administration of retirement and terminal benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

On his part, the Deputy Medical Officer and Clinical Psychologist at the university, Dr. Ekwaba David Ikechukwu spoke on the topic: ‘Mental Health’ and its Dynamics.

He pointed out that biological, psychological, and socio-economic factors could affect mental health. He noted that untreated mental health conditions could result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, poor quality of life, and suicide. He also highlighted available health coverage for eligible retirees.

In what could be described as an interactive session, a Professor of Business Administration at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Patrick Olajide Oladele delivered an action-inspiring paper on the topic ‘’ Life Before & After Retirement’’. The event afforded him the opportunity to sensitize the audience with the knowledge and skills needed to enjoy life after active service.

Professor Oladele spoke on the role of risk-taking as an important aspect of life before and after retirement. He gave far-reaching examples to underpin his position, which he averred has greatly impacted him.

The astute academic cum business expert also used the platform to correct certain myths about retirement. These include the beliefs that “retirement is a time to rest’, ‘there are offsprings to cater for me when I retire’, ‘many of my subordinates are well placed and will be there for me’, ‘retirement benefits and gratuities will help me’ among others.  He emphasized that everyone who will retire either voluntarily or when it is time must possess a ‘retirement planning thought process’.

In his remarks, the South West Chairman and National Vice President of the Union, Comrade (Dr.) Abdussobur Salaam was full of appreciation and encomiums on the organizers of the event. He called for the support of SSANU by members.

The seminar which was geared towards providing information about retirement and life after service is the first to be organized by the Union since a caretaker committee was set up in April 2023 to oversee the affairs of the union within the university. 

MySchoolNews reporting.