Niger State’s newly appointed head of service, Abubakar Sadiq-Idris, has announced an ambitious initiative to empower civil servants nearing retirement.

Mr Sadiq-Idris said the proposed entrepreneurship programme would offer a one-year preparatory course, smoothing the transition from public service to private enterprise.

“This is aimed at ensuring financial stability and productivity post-retirement,” he said on Saturday in Minna at a birthday reception in his honour.

“Our civil servants have dedicated their lives to Niger state’s betterment. It’s our duty to prepare them for the next chapter.”

He disclosed that the key benefit of the programme was to equip public servants with entrepreneurial skills for sustained economic growth.

Mr Sadiq-Idris said the initiative aligns with the state government’s goals of fostering economic development and reducing dependence on public sector employment.

He urged civil servants to exhibit integrity, dedication and loyalty in their duties.

In his remarks, a permanent secretary in the state, Joseph Kolo, described the head of service as reliable, simple and selfless.

He said Mr Sadiq-Idris’ appointment was part of the state governor’s commitment to repositioning the civil service for optimum productivity in line with the New Niger Agenda.

(NAN)