Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says there is a need to review relevant civil service laws to address the inadequacies concerning staff death on the eve of retirement.
Oloyede made the call in Bwari, Abuja, at the retirement ceremony held in honour of 24 staff of the board who have attained the compulsory retirement age of 35 years of service.
He lamented that the current laws on retirement leave a lacuna such that if a staff dies on the eve of his retirement, he would not be entitled to even a posthumous check of retirement benefits.
The JAMB boss described the retirement ceremony as a joyous event as the staff were retiring without blemish when some started with them, but we were not there to finish.
He urged the retirees to thank God for meritorious service to the country and the grace to retire peacefully.
He disclosed that six directors were among the retirees, while Dr Yusuf Lawal, the Former Director of Test Administration at JAMB, has transferred his services to the University of Abuja.
Oloyede could not hide his admiration for Lawal, and the outgoing staff, whom he noted have contributed enormously toward the attainment of the goals of the board.
The board also showered cash on its retiring staff for their meritorious service to the country.
According to Oloyede, all the retirees have spent 35 years prescribed in the civil service laws, some of who commenced their services with the federal civil service in 1987.
Earlier, Mohammed Shehu, the Director of Human Resources, while congratulating the retirees, appreciated them for their contribution towards the growth of JAMB.
The retiring directors include Dr Halilu Bakori Mohammed, Raphael Ofala Oise, Isyaku Muhammad Kankiya, Babatunde Benjamin Bamisaye, Dupe Ayoson, Sunday Adeleke Aladegbaye and Akinyele Oyetunde Ariyo.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, Dr Haliru Bakori thanked the board and management for honouring them, as well as their co-staff for being part of the journey through their years of service to the country.
Bakori prayed for those still in service that they would also retire hale and hearty.
