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By Gabriel Dike
It was encomiums galore recently at the launch of a book in Lagos, “Retirement Reinvented,” authored by a financial expert, Mr. Laja Shoniran.
Guests who spoke at the book launch acknowledged that it would add to the body of knowledge.
Director of Workforce, Nneka Eneli, moderated the book launch; the managing director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Pencom Fund was represented by the lead, customer relations, Mr. Daligton Walker, supervisor, IT, NNPC Pencom Fund, Goni Mala, retired director, Human Capital Development Training, while Mr. Joshua Etopidiok, and director and senior fellow, Centre for Leadership in Journalism, School of Media Communication, Pan-African University, Lagos, Dr. Richard Ikiebe and others graced the occasion online.
The MD of NNPC Pencom Fund lauded the author for contributing to the body of knowledge on contentious issue of retirement. He urged people to have a good plan for retirement, adding, “We will continue with social corporate responsibility to the society.”
In his remarks, Mr. Etopidiok, said many people retired without plans and they die within 10 years because of inactivity, noting, “many think retirement is a death sentence. We need to think about retirement and make it enjoyable.’’
He advised people to plan ahead for their retirement, adding, “retired people must plan for additional income and must remain busy to attract additional income.”
Representative of Yaba College of Technology Alumni Association said the book would help many people hoping to retire to plan for their future.
Dr. Ikiebe, who spoke via online, said Africans, don’t plans for retirement, stating, “retirement does not exist among African general view. The book is a comprehensive guide for people. The concept of retirement has changed.”
The media communication scholar said he was not surprised Shoniran has written his third books, which would be useful to people.
Said he: “The book on retirement is a defining book. Retirement is alien to Africans. Retirement is a time to learn new things, relearn old ones, face new challenges and bring out new realities.”
In his speech, the author, Shoriran said retired people must remain active to stay alive, noting, “people should buy the book and share it to others. People must get engage after retirement.”
According to him, the book took four months to write before it was published and that it took 18 years to put the book together.
He described retirement as a time for freedom and a new phase of ones life. Shoniran said after retirement, it is important people cut excess spending and invest.
“Retired people should take advantage of technology. Never invest more 10 percent of your gratitude. Invest in reading books on retirement. Learn from people who had retired earlier.
“For four months, I put together my 18 years experience into a book. We are planning to start retirement club and social groups; one of the things that kill people after retirement is loneliness, ” he noted.
