…AS NAFRC SETS TO COMPLETE WIDOWS/ORPHANS EMPOWERMENT CENTRE
By Okosun Dennis
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has admonished retired members of the Armed Forces to continue to be of positive influence to their environment by contributing to the security and development of their various communities.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the passing out ceremony of Course 2/2023 at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi on Friday, the COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General JO Akpor noted that their passing out symbolizes a new milestone as they conclude their meritorious military career.
Observing that the course they have been privileged to attend for the past six months has prepared them for an effective transition to civil life, reiterated that as it is, they are more capable managers of resources in their post-Service life.
“The training has also imparted you with the requisite rudiments for a successful reintegration into civil life after selfless service to our dear country.
“As veterans, therefore, your communities will look up to you to support safety and security initiatives and other security agencies to tackle community-based security challenges.
“Be an advocate of peace and make yourselves available in providing such assistance within the ambit of the law. It is equally necessary for me to inform you that post-service life has its peculiar pitfalls and challenges at individual level.
He warned the 1028 graduated trainees about the challenges that lies ahead in retirement years, some of which included inadequate resources, misuse of retirement benefits, negative influences and deceit from fraudulent persons, poor management of physical and mental health as well as life devoid of regimentation and uniform-induced immunity, the COAS stated.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Albert Amesinlola disclosed that as part of training arrangements for families of deceased soldiers, the NAFRC intends to institutionalized vocational training for widows/orphans of deceased personnel.
“By the grace of God, we would have completed the construction of the Widows/ Orphans Empowerment Centre at NAFRC before the middle of next year, so the formal vocational training of wives and children of our deceased personnel could commence.
“This will complement the current efforts of the NAFRC Officers’ Wives Association under the auspices of DEPOWA.
AVM Amesinlola also disclosed that since the inception of the pre-retirement training centre, over 51,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, para-military agencies and allied armed forces have been trained. The Centre provides training that aids beneficiaries to be equipped with entrepreneurial skills towards self-sustenance.
On broadening the scope of its farms, he stated, the development of NAFRC’s 50-hectare Agricultural Land at Epe is imperative to expand training and production capacities in the areas of agriculture, waste management and alternative power solutions.
“In 2024, we also plan to upgrade the Center’s Information Technology facility to host a vibrant website and E-learning capacity.
On coping with multifarious challenges posed by the increased trainee, he observed that the upsurge in the number of trainees vis-a-vis the astronomical increase in the cost of providing training, feeding, medical and maintenance requirements, continue to pose serious constraints.
Additionally, they would continue to explore ways to overcome those challenges as they hinder training and further development of the Centre.
During the ceremony which took place at the Buhari and Danjuma halls respectively, trainees who distinguished themselves in academic, learning and other regimentation were awarded for their brilliance and outstanding prowess.
The Chief of Army Staff award went to MWO Adebayo Adeyinka, CNS’s award was grabbed by MWO Bright Olarenwaju while NN’s award was picked by MWO Mohammed Mojisola Babatunde of the Tailoring department. Also, the overall best trainee prize went to MWO Bright Olarenwaju of the Nigerian Airforce.
Due to the increased number of trainees, two new companies: ECHO and FOXTROT were created while the flag insignia were presented to the two companies during the ceremony.
According to the Director of Training, Colonel YA Ibrahim said of the 1430 trainees that resumed the six-month course on the 1st of July 2023, 1028 graduated. Of the numbers, 112 were from the Nigerian Navy 30 were Nigerian Airforce personnel and the rest were from the Nigerian Army. It was learnt that some numbers of trainees were returned due to health and other challenges.
Among the graduating trainees who spoke with our correspondent: MWO Alaba Akpako, Lawrence Ashibogwu; John Uwe; Michael Obembe; Asihiru Adigun; Ilupeju Morakinyo, thanked God for standing behind them despite all odds to have had 35 years of unblemished service to their fatherland.
“Some of us served in the war torned Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and other peacekeeping operations and, we also battled with the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East and other numerous internal security operations and we stand tall to say thank you God for his mercies to have escaped all the traps of the enemies.”
The Special Guest of Honour was later taken around the centre for a guarded tour of facilities and exhibition centre with array of farm produce from NAFRC farms, and new accommodations among others.
NAFRC is a modest training centre for members of the Armed Forces where they are met to have six months of pre-retirement training in different vocations before finally disengaging from the Armed Forces of Nigeria after 35 years of meritorious service.
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