The military on Friday retired 316 senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) with a charge to them not to fall prey to subversive elements who may want to make use of their expertise.
The personnel comprising 283 from the Nigerian Army (NA), 27 Nigerian Navy (NN) and six from Air Force (NAF) were discharged from service after a three-month intensive reintegration to civil life and entrepreneurship trainings at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi.
Thanking them for their unblemished service, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Lucky Irabor reminded them that the country was facing myriads of security challenges and required their loyalty even in retirement.
He urged the retirees to use the available feedback mechanisms to report criminals lurking around, who may want to use them to foster their ill intentions.
CDS, Gen. Lucky Irabor (left) and NAFRC Commandant, AVM Idi Lubo
CDS, Gen. Lucky Irabor (left) and NAFRC Commandant, AVM Idi Lubo
“It is our expectation that after your graduation, the service and this centre will continue to get positive feedback as you gallantly soar through post service life. Be bold and courageous, remain disciplined and focus, the sky is your beginning
“It is important at this point to let you know that the level of insecurity is high in our nation. So, as you retire into the larger society, please beware of subversive elements within your environment and do not associate with them in any form. Your loyalty to the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is non-negotiable.
“You will from now on take full charge as planners and executors of your personal daily activities. This may sound exciting and promising but beware; you need to properly manage your freedom and make good use of your resources in order to be successful.
“The society will expect a high moral standard and discipline from you. You will also have to prove in your relationships that you passed through a highly disciplined system. As our ambassadors, always remember that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains your primary constituency. I believe in your capabilities to do us proud,” said the CDS.
He urged the retirees to be proactive in their conducts to avoid or overcome post service challenges, adding they should utilise the various skills garnered during their pre-retirement training for peaceful and productive economic life.
On the gains recorded in fighting insecurity, Irabor said collaborations with relevant security agencies were very effective and better than it used to be.
He added that they were trying to go beyond government security agencies partnership to engaging other security stakeholders in a more meaningful manner to escalate the achievements currently being made.
“The armed forces and other security agencies are collaborating very effectively and much more than we have had in the past.
“What we are now trying to do is beyond the government security agencies and it is necessary to engage with other security stakeholders in a more meaningful manner so that progressively we will be able to escalate the achievements that we are having currently.
“Only yesterday (Thursday), I spoke to the press and some reporters were there in Abuja for you to be kept abreast as to what we have done in the last two weeks.
“Essentially, we have made huge progress and of course there still remains a lot more to go and we will make everything possible such that the state of peace will incrementally improve. It is a very important exercise that the nation will go through and it will be peaceful,” said the CDS during an interview with reporters.
Aside the discharge ceremony, The Nation reports that the defence chief inaugurated a state-of-the art diagnostic centre built beside NAFRC hospital with medical equipment donated by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oludayo Amao who was represented at the ceremony by NAF’s Chief of Logistics, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Olatokunbo Adesanya.
Photo caption:
1) From left: CDS, Gen. Lucky Irabor, his wife, Mrs. Anwuli Irabor, NAFRCOWA Coordinator, Mrs. Naomi Lubo and NAFRC Commandant, AVM Idi Lubo…yesterday.
2) CDS, Gen. Lucky Irabor (left) and NAFRC Commandant, AVM Idi Lubo…yesterday
3) Group photograph
