LASUBEB honours 435 retirees, urges health discipline

Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Hakeem Shittu (third left) and other dignitaries at the send-forth ceremony for Year 2026 retirees of the Teacher Pension Department, at the LASUBEB Multipurpose hall, Maryland, on Tuesday. Credit: Wale Akinselure

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, on Tuesday, held a send-forth ceremony for 435 retiring and retired teaching and non-teaching staff.

 The 2026 retirees comprise those who have retired from January to date and those who would retire by December this year.

 Those celebrated at the ceremony held at the LASUBEB Multipurpose Hall, Maryland, include retired and retiring directors, deputy directors, assistant directors of education, chief clerical officers, head watchmen, senior foremen, chief driver mechanics and gardeners across the 57 local government areas and local council development areas in the state.

 Speaking at the event, the Lagos Head of Service, Bode Agoro, urged the retirees to remain active and engage their minds rather than staying idle.

 He said, “Please, don’t just stay at home doing nothing. Your body has to move. You have to keep your mind thinking. Please, let’s be active. Let’s be agile. Let’s move around and keep safe.”

 Harping on the need for retirees to stay active, Agoro, represented by Bisi Rowland, Deputy Director, Post Service Department, Office of the Head of Service, urged them to regularly visit the wellness and recreational centres provided by the state government.

 Agoro said, “Retirement is not regarded as an end to service, but a transition to a new phase of life. Over the years, we have included retirees in retiree welfare, entrepreneurship, social engagement, because we train our retirees in the mainstream.

 “So I’m very sure that you will start to watch our entrepreneurial programmes. We also have 20 wellness centres. We have 20 recreational wellness centres all over the state. So, our retirees that would like to join the one nearest to them.

 “So, retirees, come together. You are not just going there to sit down and look at each other. You go there, you mingle, you have fun. We also have a monthly webinar session. Every month, twice every month, we have a session of facilitators who will talk to our retirees on different topics.”

 In his own remarks, Chairman, LASUBEB, Dr Hakeem Shittu, called for financial discipline and warned the retirees against living a false life, claiming they were still in service.

 Shittu warned them against exerting energy on things that are not worthwhile, urging them to prioritise their good health and regular medical check-ups.

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 “Continue to engage in activities but don’t exert energy in things that are not worthwhile. Engage in activities that promote good health and do medical check-ups regularly.

 “Also important is financial discipline. Don’t live to impress anyone. Some of us live false lives. Some, after leaving office, don’t want people to know that they have left office,” Shittu said.

 He prayed for good health, prosperity and success in whatever businesses they embark upon in retirement.

 Guest speaker at the event, Saheed Bashir, who is the Managing Director, Meristem Stockbrokers Limited, decried that uncertainties and lack of a retirement vision usually send retirees to early graves.

 He stressed that health insurance and regular flow of income are critical for retirees’ longevity.

 Represented by the company’s Head of Retirement Planning, Imaobong Asemah, he warned retirees against jumping into financial investment schemes they had no deep knowledge about.

 To remain active, he enjoined retirees to join clubs, associations, wellness and recreation clubs and be active on WhatsApp groups.

 Board Secretary, LASUBEB, Hakeem Lamidi, in his remarks, urged public and civil servants to strive to serve with dignity and aspire to leave behind good names.

 Permanent Board Member, Teachers’ Pension, Babatunde Williams, lauded the retiring staff members for their diligence, hard work, dedication and sacrifices to educate children across the various schools in Lagos State.

 The event was also attended by serving and retired directors, board members and other public officials.

 Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Eniola Olatunde, a retired Director (Education), appreciated God for sparing their lives throughout their years of service, just as she appreciated the state government for the welfare of workers and retirees.