Airport Fire and Safety Cooperative Trains, Empowers Retiring Members
Naija CooperativeNews
The Airport Fire & Safety Cooperative Multipurpose Society Ltd. (FireCoop) held its annual entrepreneurial and empowerment programme designed intentionally as a pre-retirement training workshop for members across Nigeria especially those retiring soon a few weeks ago, precisely on the 12th to 14th October 2023 at DRACC, ACCO Estate, Lugbe, Abuja FCT.
The training was facilitated by MarketWatch Inc. on behalf of FireCoop with the main objective to assist the participants in preparing adequately for retirement by supporting them to engage in saving towards life after paid employment, ensuring that they are familiar with empowerment processes and developing entrepreneurial skills, and getting groomed for worthy and rewarding investment that will not exert them and cause unsavory consequences.
The member participants have adjudged the 3-day training event as one of the best training workshop they have attended so far because of its rich content and modules that speak specifically to their needs.
DAY ONE – Thursday, 12th October, 2023
The first day started officially witnessing the participant’s registration formalities, and opening ceremony, the self-appraisal and WALL exhibition Developing Entrepreneurial Skills, Identifying Investment Opportunities/ Managing Your Own Business, and the last lecture was Basic Accounting for Small Business Owners.
Earlier in the day during the opening ceremony, Alhaji Saheed A. Sadiq the President of AFSCMS FireCoop made some keynotes in his Opening Speech to the participants, first and foremost, He appreciated all the attendees and congratulated them on the journey so far in their respective services cum primary assignment to the nation.
He reiterated that in compliance with the Management Committee’s Road map resolutions, the regional implementation of this kind of all-important training is long overdue as we have a widespread of membership in all the regions of the country. Commencing with Abuja, North-Central is a step in the right direction.
Alhaji Sadiq counseled the attendees by emphasizing that a Retirement Plan is a Process and not a goal. It’s a journey and not a destination. It’s a mandatory plan for workers that must necessarily start even with the very first salary.
He further stressed and emphasized that the whole essence of the training is about Financial Discipline and a plan to retire well and healthy.
The President, concluded by applauding the response of the members from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA, and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB, to the attendance promising them a lot of take-home from the training as the resource person is a renowned seasoned Facilitator that has been tested and trusted.
DAY TWO – Friday 13th October, 2023
It started with reviewing the previous day’s exercises, after which the first topic for the day was treated titled Healthy Living and Self-Management, followed by Running through the check-list, Getting Ready/Counselling followed by the Empowerment training, and lastly for the day Deciding on the Size of Enterprise you want to engage upon.
DAY THREE – Saturday 14th 2023
The third day was characterized by Field Trips to experience firsthand enterprises they can engage in after retirement. The society partner came to talk to them about the housing scheme for them.
BRIEF COMMUNIQUE – A report was given at the end of the 3-day training coordinated by the duo of the course moderator and class leader find below an excerpt of the communique;
The class appreciated the Management Committee of the Cooperative Society for the roadmap concept for mounting this programme in other zones. The attendees acknowledged the Executives led by Alhaji S.A Sadiq as they turned out massively for the training and the keen attention paid to the welfare of the attendees and solicited further runs for the other cooperators as they prepared for life after paid employment.
The content of the programme was enriching and many were able to draw meaningful insights from the rich content. The Resource persons were also capable and experienced in the content they delivered effectively.
The attendees benefitted tremendously and were able to highlight from the available investment options what they may get engaged in after paid employment, how to maintain themselves in business, and how to keep basic Accounting as Small Business Owners.
They also benefitted from the health and self-management tips and were poised to build a robust routine to sustain their health.
The focus of the pre-retirement was – Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, this was well addressed and many cooperators benefitted from the delivery on how to be an entrepreneur.
Attendees were guided through a scheme of Accelerated Savings and how to Cope with limited Finances when they eventually retire.
A visit to the project farm was also undertaken and from this, many were also opportune to see on a first-hand basis the PILOT scheme and the size of a manageable farm ideal for retirees
The group also received the Mubdab & Woodhill Estate who are partners to the FireCoop on the Housing Estate scheme. They briefed the attendees on pre-qualifications for their mortgage loans.
At the end of the successful training, the class raised a WhatsApp group that will henceforth inform members and sustain the friendships cultivated during the training.
The executives were on hand to perform both the opening and closing ceremonies. The magnanimity of the executive committee is much appreciated.
The participants appointed Course Coordinator was Baba Oyafemi and the Class Leader was Engr. Ehiola Adedeji who assisted with the communique.
