Unemployment: Review retirement age for Civil Servants, UNILORIN Don tells FG

As part of efforts towards addressing the rate of unemployment among graduates, especially among graduates from tertiary institutions, a University lecturer and Professor of Counsellor Education with the University of Ilorin, Mary Grace Fajonyomi, has said that the federal government may consider cutting down on retirement age instead of increasing it as proposed by the labour unions.

Fajonyomi stated this while delivering the 238th Inaugural Lecture tagged: “Functional Guidance And Counselling Practice For A Dysfunctional Society”, held at the University’s Auditorium on Thursday.

According to her, “To linger on in the job is
to deny employment opportunities to younger ones or junior ones from being promoted leading to frustration and other social, psychological and mental problems, which implies giving more work to professional guidance–counsellors.

“Noteworthy is that the exit of a professor or a permanent secretary can pave way for at least four fresh graduates going by their take-home pay. The implication is that every worker
should start preparing for retirement as s/he assumes duty.

“Governments at all levels should provide funds, separate budgets and resources that would foster effective and efficient practice in formal and non –formal settings of education in the country.”

Fajonyomi further noted that the nature of digital technology revolution in the country and globally with attending effect has brought about the deployment of e-counselling stressing that appropriate technologies and media should be creatively engaged and deployed while relating with the counsellees or clients.

At the well attended gathering, the varsity Don further said: “Unchecked population resulting to an increase in family size over family income often puts pressure on resources and facilities which leads to crises. Therefore, there should be enforceable population control policy, especially in order to reduce demand for guidance and counselling services due to the problems of over-population and its consequences.

She therefore urged members of the public to always double-check and adopt problem solving measures saying:”If you need the services of a professional counsellors to address your challenges: see a functional guidance-counsellor”.