The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the well-being of its workforce and creating an atmosphere for them to live a decent life after retirement.
Speaking at the maiden Kwara Sustainable Development Goals Convention, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi stated, “The era where Kwara civil servants retire and have nothing to do has passed. What the administration is trying to focus on is to make sure that after you retire you have something to fall back onto.”
Alabi urged participants to see the convention as an opportunity to make necessary inquiries and network towards building a solid foundation for a better tomorrow.
The Convention featured lectures and panel discussions, with speakers including Ishola Kayode, Rukayat Yahaya, Gegele Yahya Olushola, Nelson Daramola, and Dr. Rahman Oladimeji Mustapha.
Commissioner for Communication Bola Olukoju, representing the Deputy Governor, stated, “The state government is in support of the SDGs which is a blueprint for the global future. We are creating an atmosphere where an average retiree can say ‘yes it paid me when I was working with the government and I have something meaningful to be doing afterwards’.”
SSA to the Governor on SDGs and convener of 1st Kwara SDGs Convention, Nnafatima, said, “Our goal is to explore vital topics that will not only help us navigate the present but also ensure a prosperous and secure future for everyone, especially those approaching retirement in the Civil Service.”
She added, “We aim to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to harness opportunities in agriculture, information and communication technology, entrepreneurship, and other related fields of endeavor, so you can thrive both professionally and personally which is in line with SDG Goal 8, 9, 11 and 12.”
Ishola Kayode spoke on the opportunities in digital innovation, stating, “For us to be able to bring life into Sustainable Development Goals in our state and in our country, we have to leverage digital innovation.”
Gegele Yahya Olushola emphasized the importance of waste management, saying, “Let’s go for waste management if we want to harness the future. Using what we have locally to create economic prosperity. This is where the World is going. Retirees can look at what they see as waste around them and strive to turn it into what can give them income.”
