Daud Olatunji
Retired administrative officers in Ogun State have called for stronger unity among members of the cadre, while urging retirees to make proper estate plans to prevent disputes over their properties and assets after their death.
The call was made on Monday at the second general meeting of the current executive committee of the Retired Civil Service Administrative Officers’ Forum, held at the forum’s secretariat in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
The forum chairman, a retired Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, said the association had recorded progress in promoting comradeship among retired administrative officers and maintaining engagement with serving officers in the state civil service.
Rasheed disclosed that the forum recently paid a courtesy visit to the new Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Iskeel Saka, describing the meeting as successful.
He said the engagement was part of the forum’s effort to remain relevant to the civil service and contribute to the development of the institution even after members’ retirement.
Rasheed said, “In line with our desire to remain relevant and contribute to making the Civil Service virile, we recently paid a courtesy visit to the new Head of Service, Ogun State, Mr Iskeel Saka.
“The meeting was very successful and has projected the forum positively, not only within the state but beyond. We will sustain this engagement for mutual benefit.”
The chairman also disclosed that the forum was close to securing a permanent site, noting that it was awaiting an assessment from the Bureau of Lands and Survey on the cost of allocation.
He appealed to members to prepare for financial mobilisation, saying funds would be required not only to secure the site but also to demarcate and make it suitable for occupation.
Rasheed said the forum would seek a concession on the cost of the land and possibly solicit the support of the Head of Service.
He, however, stressed that members must be prepared to contribute towards the project.
The chairman also appealed to members to protect the unity of the association irrespective of the positions they occupied before retirement.
According to him, a retired Head of Service, Permanent Secretary or Director remains an administrative officer and should be treated as a colleague.
He disclosed that the forum had resolved to rotate its chairmanship between retired Heads of Service/Permanent Secretaries and Directors as part of efforts to promote inclusiveness and mutual respect.
“When a Director assumes the chairmanship, a retired Head of Service or Permanent Secretary will gladly serve under him, and vice versa, because we are all colleagues in the Administrative Cadre,” he said.
Rasheed urged members to sustain unity, tolerance and mutual support, saying the strength of the forum depended on the collective commitment of its members.
‘Make wills before it is too late’
At the meeting, a retired Director of Administration in Ogun State, Pastor Adeyeye Oluremi, urged retirees and other adults to prepare valid wills and other appropriate estate-planning documents to prevent disputes among their families.
Speaking on the theme, “Leaving Peace, Not Problems: Why Every Seasoned Adult Needs a Will,” Oluremi said preparing a will was an act of responsibility rather than an indication that death was imminent.
He warned that verbal promises concerning houses, land, money and other properties could create confusion among family members after the death of the owner.
According to him, families that lived peacefully while their parents were alive could become embroiled in prolonged disputes over inheritance when clear instructions were unavailable.
He said, “A Will is therefore not only about money. It is about clarity, responsibility and peace of mind.”
Oluremi advised retirees to document their wishes properly rather than rely on informal promises to family members.
He said a properly prepared will could cover assets such as houses, land, investments, vehicles, shares and other valuable belongings, subject to applicable laws.
He also advised people to choose executors carefully and ensure that their wills were safely kept and could be located when needed.
The retired administrator cautioned against copying wills or preparing them casually, stressing that estate planning could involve issues relating to jointly owned property, family property, matrimonial rights, trusts, debts, customary law and, for Muslims, applicable Islamic inheritance principles.
He therefore urged retirees to seek appropriate professional advice when preparing their estate plans.
Oluremi said estate planning should form part of retirement planning, alongside pension, healthcare and accommodation arrangements.
He said, “Your family may indeed sort it out—but why leave them a difficult problem when you have the opportunity to provide clarity today?”
Adeyemi urges wider mobilisation
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the forum, Elder Sola Adeyemi, mni, a retired Head of Service, commended members for their efforts towards strengthening the association.
Adeyemi urged members to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to bring retired administrative officers who were yet to join the forum into its fold.
He commended those championing the growth of the association and encouraged them not to relent in reaching out to colleagues still outside the forum.
The meeting ended with a resolution to pursue the objectives of the association more vigorously and mobilise more retired administrative officers to join the forum.
Members also resolved to strengthen their unity, sustain engagement with serving officers and advance the process of securing a permanent home for the association.
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