The Nigeria Police on Tuesday began a two-day sensitisation workshop on retirement planning for retiring officers at the Edo Command.
The workshop, entitled “Empowerment for safe, happy and successful retirement,” was organised in collaboration with Skyheight Success Consult.
In an opening speech, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mohammed Dankwara, said the training was meant to educate the officers on life after service.
Dankwara said that it was regrettable to see retired officers living in penury after retirement as a result of poor planning.
The police boss said the programme would help the participants to prepare and get requisite information on the ethics of retirement.
“My sincere appreciation to the Inspector General of Police for approving such programmes for officers and also to the coordinator of the programme.
“I am also a benefactor of this programme.
“It is disheartening to see our police officers today, living a good life while in service but after retirement, they cannot sustain it, which is very bad.
“Sometimes, it leads to depression, ill health and untimely death of some officers because they can no longer meet their responsibilities.
“So, this programme is to address all these issues and teach these officers about retirement, which is very important,” Dankwara said.
Also, the Convener of the workshop, Mr Eugene Onyibo, advised the officers to adjust their lifestyle in a way that their retirement would be stress-free.
Onyibo described retirement as a reality and a blessing, only if there was enough preparation.
“This programme has been existing since 2012, it is a call to order by police officers because there is life after retirement from the police force.
“The quality of life of some retired police officers is nothing to write home about compared to other security agencies.
“The programme has been able to transform officers since the past eleven (11) years,” Onyibo said.