By Okosun Dennis
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has called on retiring participants of Course 01/2024 of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, to maximally deploy their acquired entrepreneurship skills in their Post-Service life; adding that as entrepreneurs, they need attributes such as determination, diligence, optimism as well as honesty, imbibed in the course of their 35 years of meritorious career, and the training at the Centre to succeed.
Admiral Ogalla, who spoke as the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), at the Passing Out Ceremony of Course 01/2024 at NAFRC, Oshodi on Thursday, 13th June 2024, admonished the 725 senior Non-Commissioned military officers who retired from the military after undergoing six months post-retirement training at the centre.
He cautioned that as they integrate into civil life, their conduct must be by ethics, professional standards, and respect for the rule of law.
In his speech, Admiral Ogalla explained that, “You will be judged by these virtues as retired military personnel as well as Ambassadors of the Armed Forces and this Prestigious Centre.
“I urge you to be good ambassadors and conduct yourself in a manner that would not bring disrepute to the Armed Forces or your distinguished career records. You must also influence your community positively and also be loyal to the nation and President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“I am glad to inform you that this present administration under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has prioritized the welfare of persons who have diligently served the Armed Forces.
In that direction, he reiterated, “The President has approved the implementation of 20 percent increase in pension rates for pensioners with effect from January this year. This and other packages including those initiated by various Services is to appreciate your sacrifices and service to the nation,” the Naval Chief remarked.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola charged the graduating participants to contribute to their various communities in device ways rather than becoming a liability to society.
He observed that since the inception of the centre, it has trained over 51,000 members of the Armed Forces drawn from the Army, Navy and Airforce.
AVM Amesinlola while explaining various plans to meet the need of the trainees in line with their Post-Service career, said the acquired hectares of land at Epe for Agriculture and the 50-room accommodation donation by the Chief of Defence Staff would help actualize the aspiration of the centre.
He also disclosed that NAFRC establishing Information and Technology department is to extend the capacity of the centre to training those who couldn’t come physically to the centre due to health challenges or otherwise.
There were Goodwill messages to the Graduands from the Chief of Defence Staff CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa; represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj Gen Emeka Anumojor, President of RANAO who called on the retiring personnel “As Ambassador to strive to remain the Ambassador of good character of the centre and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs.
725 personnel from the Army, Navy, and Airforce began the pre-retirement course about six months ago with Army having 534 personnel, Navy 165 and Airforce 26. However, 79 personnel on resumption were found to be medically unfit and returned to their various units where they would exit the service.
NAFRC activities consistently provide quality training, engage in research and development and render consultancy services geared towards adequately preparing disengaging personnel to face the challenges or re-integrating into civil life.
Among the graduating participants included Master Warrant Officers Patrick Odigie, Henry Oshodi, Friday Agaga, MWO Aneikan Udoekpo (Army) and Navy Warrant Officer Matthew Aiyewawi (Best graduating trainee) and Able Seaman Azogi Nkechi Deborah, the only female participant in the Auto technology department.
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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