Retirement Phobia among the Clergy of the Anglican Province of the Niger: A Search for Solution

Abstract

Retirement Phobia among the Clergy of the Anglican Province of the Niger in Anambra State, Nigeria is considered one of the emerging issues, which has posed and is stilling posting a serious threat to the zealous workers, the evangelization of the missionary work and its development. This has influenced the life of the serving clergy and continued to distabilise their effort even after they have retired from the service. The problem of role status among the society, adjusting and adapting to a new life style within the environment, the challenge to cater for economic problem and maintain normal life of the clergy as a role model are the things both the serving clergy and retired clergy should try to live with till death. The main purpose of this study is to examine the need to plan, adopt, adjust and implement strategies to ease the pain, trials and challenges associated with life in the service and life after retirement among the clergy of the Anglican Province of the Niger in Anambra State. Primary and Secondary data collections were applied, primary involves oral interviews of which the data were descriptively analysed. The secondary data collections were sought through published books articles etc. Theories of subculture of aging and the Person-Environment fit were applied in this study. Subculture theory is the ability to adjust to retirement from the work force with less active roles while the Person-environment-fit theory is the reciprocal relationship that exists between people and environment, the abilities in relation to specific jobs and personal needs with regard to work values. The researcher recommend that the Church needs to organize retirement programmes, equipping the clergy in terms of ability to plan and set up new business after retirement, in order to take care of themselves and family. Furthermore, to strengthen and encourage the clergy to invest in assets and financial ventures so that at retirement, they can earn additional income from these assets and financial ventures to supplement their pension income, and they should embark on continuous education and skill acquisition and training as a way of preparing for life after retirement without phobia in view.