From Uche Usim, Abuja
In its quest to build a more vibrant establishment, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is working out modalities to tap into the rich expertise of its retired officers, especially those that served in the management cadre.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the disclosure in Abuja on Saturday at the maiden reunion of retired management staff the Service.
According to him, the inspiration behind the initiative is rooted in the recognition of the invaluable wealth of experience of ex-officers, adding that the Service has now joined the league of establishments who maintain connections between serving and retired senior staff like Nigeria breweries plc, Shell, General Electric, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others.
He said: “As we bring together different generations of management staff, we acknowledge the tremendous wealth of knowledge that resides within this room and the untapped resource that retired officers represent.
“They say, “It is never too late to start,” and today we embark on a journey to bridge the gap between the vibrant energy of our current officers and the seasoned expertise of our retired colleagues.
“One noticeable gap is the absence of structured programmes within the NCS designed specifically to engage retired officers. Unlike successful models in other organizations, where there are established frameworks for tapping into the expertise of retirees, the NCS may benefit from creating tailored programmes to facilitate seamless collaboration”, Adeniyi said.
He added that effective communication channels are essential for the integration of retired officers into the current arrangement of the Service.
The CGC also noted that the gap in recognizing and adequately motivating retired officers may have deterred their active involvement in the affairs of the establishment they exited from.
“In successful cases, retirees are often acknowledged and incentivized for their continued contributions. Addressing this gap is crucial for fostering a sense of value and appreciation.
“Clearly defined roles and responsibilities are key to ensuring that retired officers seamlessly integrate into current operations. If there is ambiguity regarding their contributions, it might result in a lack of engagement. Establishing well-defined roles will help maximize their expertise”, he added. Successful organizations invest in training and transition programmes to prepare retired professionals for their advisory roles. The NCS may need to bridge the gap by implementing programmes that help retirees adapt to the evolving Customs landscape and equip them with the necessary skills” he added.