OSOPADEC Chairman, Elder Sam Erejuwa has charged the staff of the Commission to look inward, and develop their potentials with a view to having multiple streams of income to enable them survive the current economic hardship and realities.

Erejuwa gave this charge yesterday while presenting a lecture on The Pathway to Financial Freedom, shortly after the November edition of the monthly prayer and general staff meeting.

In the practical and visually projected lecture, Erejuwa posited that since salary (active income) is fixed while daily expenses, family expectations and commitments are insatiable, everyone needs to come up with means of using their talents and skills to make additional income (passive income); else one would resort into amassing loans which would eventually escalate into accumulation of unpaid debts.

The Chairman informed that amongst the skill and opportunities the staff can tap into include; crop farming, animal husbandry, hairdressing, barbing and painting.

Erejuwa revealed that his administration is thinking on the best means possible through which staff with business ideas would be supported.

Erejuwa who sympathised with the staff on the economic hardship being experienced across the country as a result of the removal of the subsidy paid on petroleum by the Federal Government said that the Commission will continue to compliment the efforts of the State Government in cushioning the effects of workers hardship.

Consequently, the Chairman assured that in few days to come, welfare packages and palliatives would be rolled out to further mitigate the effect of the subsidy removal.

Speaking further, Erejuwa disclosed that as part of the concern of his administration to enable staff become landlords, the Board has approved the acquisition of 100 plots of land which would be allocated to willing staff members with flexible and convenient means of payment. He affirmed that the process is now in an advanced stage.

Responding to some questions raised during the interactive session, the Secretary, Dr. Victor Koledoye said, the Sam Erejuwa-led Board is committed to the welfare of the workforce, including those in the mandate areas, and that no stone would be left unturned to ensure their optimal comfort and productivity.

He revealed that plans are ongoing to facilitate more in-house and external seminars and trainings to further boost the efficiency of the staff across various departments and units.

Speaking further, Koledoye intimated staff who are close to retirement of the Pre-retirement Workshop holding on Thursday 2nd November at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure.

The sensitization programme, organized by the State Government is aimed at equipping officers exiting the public service between January and December 2024 on ways to make adequate preparations to enable them enjoy comfortable, healthy and productive retirement.