Military Retires 756 Senior Soldiers

After 35 years of active service to the country, the military at the weekend retired 756 senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs).

It advised them to remain good ambassadors of the Armed Forces.

The soldiers were disengaged from military service with fanfare at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos.

They had undergone a three-month pre-retirement training which prepared them for their return to civil life.

Also, 25 Generals who were enrolled for Senior/Mid-Level Officers Entrepreneurship and Management Course at NAFRC graduated last Friday.

Thanking them for their selfless services to the country, President Muhammadu Buhari admonished them to be mindful of the challenges associated with post-military career.

The President, who was represented by Defence Minister, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.), urged them to stay proactive in order to overcome challenges that come with retirement, such as inadequate resources, misuse of retirement benefits, negative influences from friends and family members, poor health management, among others.

“It is also risky to embark on a new life style that is above your means or engage in non-lucrative ventures, neither should you also abstain from physical exercises.

“I am sure that your training here has exposed you to several vocational opportunities, entrepreneurship procedures and general management skills to assist you alleviate the above mentioned pitfalls.

“I urge you to employ the various instructions and skills you have acquired while undergoing NAFRC training for peaceful and productive economic life as you reintegrate into the Nigerian civil society.”

President Buhari said the society would expect a high moral standard and discipline from the retiring soldier, urging them to prove that they passed through a highly disciplined system.

“As our ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavours and positively influence your environment for the economic development of our dear country.

“Note that you are going into a society beset by security challenges that transcend our national borders. You will, therefore, be required as veterans to support the security agencies tackle community-based challenges,” he said.

The President hailed the leadership of NAFRC, under Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Idi Lubo, for its relentless efforts at ensuring that Armed Forces personnel were exposed to the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and management training.

“The transitional course will help prepare graduands for effective reintegration to civil life as well as make them capable managers of resources.”