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  • NAFRC prepares over 600 personnel for retirement 

    NAFRC prepares over 600 personnel for retirement 

    In line with its mandate to ensure retiring service personnel lead stress-free lives  outside the uniforms, the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi has commenced training for over 600 soldiers due for disengagement in six months.

    The personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, were inaugurated into a six-month intensive skills acquisition programme that would equip them for post service life.

    Addressing the personnel, the Commandant, NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Bashir Mamman, said the course would prepare them for meaningful and beneficial engagements in future. 

    He said the goal was to continue to provide opportunities for retiring personnel to obtain quality vocational training and management education in many relevant fields of endeavour aimed at adequately preparing them to face the challenges of re-integrating into civil life. 

    “During the course, you will receive lectures and practical lessons from resource persons and specialists on a broad range of topics including entrepreneurship and general management, health, retirement planning, financial management, security and safety practice as well as ICT to mention but a few.

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    “These lectures are specifically designed to help you build up profitable post-retirement ventures towards job creation, self-sustenance and worthwhile living after disengaging from the Armed Forces of Nigeria. 

    “It is my pleasure to inform you that, feedback from past participants who benefited from past training indicates that many of the graduates of this centre are thriving entrepreneurs in a wide range of business ventures across the country

    “A significant number of them are even employers of labour and have expanded their businesses beyond their immediate localities. 

    “It is therefore, our hope and earnest desire that upon completion of this course, each of you would have obtained the necessary skills to operate profitably in the open market that is highly competitve,” Mamman told the trainees.

    He reminded them the training was for them to develop themselves for theirs and their family’s good, stressing the need for them to be committed to the course.

    “It is imperative that I emphasize how crucial it is for you to utilize the allocated time in your training program effectively, as it is the primary determining factor for your success on this course. I am  positive that you will learn a lot within this period if you apply yourself and make judicious use of your time…

    “So, do your best to maximize this learning opportunity. You must also be cordial and respectful to the centre’s instructors, academic and administrative staff as well as your fellow participants. Insubordination to your fellow participants who are your superiors will be met with serious sanctions. Mutual respect is, therefore expected from each and everyone of you,” the Commandant added.

    During their six-month stay at the centre, Mamman warned that the personnel must not engage in self medication and must disclose any serious illness at the medical center…

    “Accordingly, a mandatory 90 percent attendance is required for issuance of the Certificate of Course Completion at the end of the course. Participants would be denied certificates and sanctioned for prolonged absence without due authorization, or misconduct and acts of indiscipline,” he warned.

  • NAFRC trains 700 retiring officers on post-service life

    NAFRC trains 700 retiring officers on post-service life

    The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi has trained over 700 retiring military personnel on post-service life with various vocational skills for the period of six months.

     The retiring personnel comprised 534 from the Nigerian Army, 165 from the Nigerian Navy and 26 from the Nigerian Airforce , respectively.

     Speaking at the Passing Out of NAFRC Trainees Course 01/2024 , the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, described the successful completion of the course as a testament to the trainees determination , commitment and discipline, which he said were attributes of what they acquired in the course of their active service to their fatherland. He explained that the Trainees’ Pre-Retirement Course was to give the retiring personnel the requisite rudiments for a successful reintegration into civil life, after a meritorious service to the country.

     Expressing optimism that they would enjoy their post-service life and apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired during their service years, Ogalla who was the Special Guest of Honour, reminded the trainees that “you will from now on take full charge as planners and executors of your personal daily activities.

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     “This may sound exciting and promising but beware; you need to properly manage your freedom in order to be successful.

     The society will expect a high moral standard and discipline from you. “You will also be required to always prove your worth after passing through a highly disciplined system like the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    As our ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavors and positively influence your environment for the economic, social and political benefits of our dear country.

     “It is equally necessary for me to inform our discharging colleagues that Post-Service life has its peculiar challenges. Some of these challenges you may encounter would include but not limited to management of resources especially, retirement benefits, influences from friends and family members, management of both mental and physical health as well as integrating with the civil society.

  • NAFRC’s entrepreneurship, job creation efforts get kudos

    NAFRC’s entrepreneurship, job creation efforts get kudos

    Efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, to ensure that retiring members of the Armed Forces get entrepreneurial skills and requisite knowledge to be employers of labour were yesterday commended by the federal government.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on job creation and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs), Temitola Johnson, recognised the tremendous work the centre was doing in that regard, pledging fruitful collaborations, partnerships.

    John hailed the centre during his tour of the facility on Monday, emphasizing NAFRC’s significant capacity and the potential for even greater impact with proper support and partnerships.

    He said: “We have seen what they have done over the years. We want to improve that and ensure that they can scale up from a thousand to ten thousand and beyond.”

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    According to him, the government of President Bola Tinubu was committed to supporting initiatives such as sponsorship for graduating students and training programmes, highlighting the importance of streamlining the processes by ensuring registration with regulatory bodies like the Corporate Affiars Commission (CAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    “We are now looking at how we can improve what is on the ground. By the time we are done with this tour, we would see how we can partner further to optimize their productivity and capacity,” he said

    In his remarks, the Commandant, NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Herbert Amensilola, expressed the center’s aspiration to become a world-class institution not only for retirees but also for all Nigerians interested in vocational training.

    “We require support in areas that will aid retirees, and we believe that when you leave here, you would take our request to the higher authority.

    “The center needs collaboration and support so that we would not be an island of knowledge and stagnated. We currently have 752 trainees, the majority of whom have served for many years. A time will come when every soldier has to leave the barracks and be integrated into civilian life, hence, the need to learn vocations that would make them employers of labor in the long run,” Amensilola said.

  • NAFRC’s entrepreneurship, job creation efforts get kudos

    NAFRC’s entrepreneurship, job creation efforts get kudos

    Efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, to ensure that retiring members of the Armed Forces get entrepreneurial skills and requisite knowledge to be employers of labour were on Tuesday, April 30, commended by the federal government.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on job creation and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs), Temitola Johnson, recognised the tremendous work the centre was doing in that regard, pledging fruitful collaborations, partnerships.

    Johnson hailed the centre during his tour of the facility on Monday, emphasizing NAFRC’s significant capacity and the potential for even greater impact with proper support and partnerships.

    He said: “We have seen what they have done over the years. We want to improve that and ensure that they can scale up from a thousand to ten thousand and beyond.”

    According to him, the government of President Bola Tinubu was committed to supporting initiatives such as sponsorship for graduating students and training programmes, highlighting the importance of streamlining the processes by ensuring registration with regulatory bodies like the Corporate Affiars Commission (CAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    “We are now looking at how we can improve what is on the ground. By the time we are done with this tour, we would see how we can partner further to optimize their productivity and capacity,” he said 

    In his remarks, the Commandant, NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Herbert Amensilola, expressed the center’s aspiration to become a world-class institution not only for retirees but also for all Nigerians interested in vocational training.

    Read Also: NAFRC prepares over 700 soldiers for retirement

    “We require support in areas that will aid retirees, and we believe that when you leave here, you would take our request to the higher authority.

    “The center needs collaboration and support so that we would not be an island of knowledge and stagnated. We currently have 752 trainees, the majority of whom have served for many years. A time will come when every soldier has to leave the barracks and be integrated into civilian life, hence, the need to learn vocations that would make them employers of labor in the long run,” Amensilola said.

    Caption: Johnson (right) and AVM Amensilola during the latter’s visit to NAFRC in Oshodi… Monday 

  • NAFRC to begin training for mid-level officers

    The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi yesterday said it will commence Middle Level Cadre Officers Entrepreneurial Training next month.

    NAFRC Commandant Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sani Liman stated this at the inauguration of 114 room accommodation for trainees, the centre’s cattle range and renovated as well as refurbished workshops.

    This commencement would mark a turning point in the history of NAFRC which has been a pre-retirement centre for non-commissioned officers (NCOs) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

    According to Liman, the training of mid-level officers was a precursor to the proposed change of name and mandate of NAFRC in order to accommodate commissioned officers, trainings for paramilitary and career civil servants from Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

    He said: “The present management team of NAFRC is enthusiastic in continuing the transformation of the centre to a modern entrepreneurial and vocational training institution for personnel of the AFN.

    “In this quest, the proposed change of name, mandate and mission of NAFRC to Defence Centre for Entrepreneurial and Management Studies is receiving due attention. This change would enable

    the centre domicile officers’ pre-retirement training and also offer MDAs opportunity to train their retiring personnel.

    “As a precursor to this, the centre would commence Middle Level Cadre Officers Entrepreneurial

    Training in January 2019 in addition to the traditional courses in NAFRC.”

    He said the unveiled projects were aimed at enhancing welfare and providing a conducive atmosphere for learning as well as entrepreneurial training for retiring personnel in line with

    global trends.

    “The leadership of the centre has reconstructed/renovated and equipped over 15 projects in the last four months which include 114-room Bravo Company, 1000KVA Transformer, Model

    Ranch, NAFRC Officers Wives Association (NAFRCOWA) Secretariat, Auto Oven Spraying Booth, Tailoring Workshop, Electroplating/Hydrographic Workshop, Children’s Park and

    NAFRC/FIIRO link Road/Gate,” he said.

    Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who inaugurated the projects commended NAFRC for providing decent accommodation and standard facilities for trainees.

    Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, AVM AM Mohammed said:  “These efforts, are in tandem with the mission of NAFRC which is to provide quality training, towards preparing our retired personnel for the challenges of integrating into posts service life.

    “Looking at the quality of the facilities, I must commend NAFRC, for relentless efforts in keeping touch with contemporary drive, by providing excellent facilities for pre-retirement training of our service personnel.

    “I commend the Commandant and his team for their concerted efforts in transforming NAFRC to a world class vocational and entrepreneurial training institution.”

  • NAFRC gets commandant as Jekennu retires

    new Commandant, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sanni Liman, has been deployed in the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos.

    Liman took over headship of the tri-service institution yesterday following the retirement of AVM Ajibola Jekennu.

    Acknowledging the transformation of the centre within the 18 months Jekennu held sway, Liman urged NAFRC’s workers to accord him similar support so that the tempo would not be reduced.

    He said: “AVM Jekennu has achieved a lot within the period he served here. I will say he has left a size 17 shoe for me to fill. Although he is retired, he is not tired. So, he should know that we will also come to him for advice, suggestions and tips. He has now become a consultant.”

    To the directing workers, Liman said: “We will also need to work as a team. I use the word we because it is a collective responsibility. If NAFRC fails or succeeds today, it is all of us that have failed or succeeded, not just the commandant.

    “I urge all directors to know that we are turning a new leaf in terms of our jobs. More will be demanded from everybody. Training of our retiring officers, who are brought here after 35 years of service to the fatherland, will be taken more seriously. Of course, their upkeep and welfare will be seriously looked into.”

    In his valedictory remark, Jekennu said serving at NAFRC was worth the while, adding that he felt fulfilled to have added value to the institution.

    He said: “I have been in NAFRC for 18 months. I am glad that I am handing over to AVM Liman, a work force and environment that is much better than what I met. AVM Liman has no fears at all because the workforce he is inheriting is highly motivated. Well, I am too sure of his capabilities and I know we will not be disappointed.

    “I urge the directors not to go back to their shells. We all know the level we have attained here. I plead to you not to return to the old days. Sustain and even surpass this level.

    “When I took over the headship of NAFRC, I faced challenges of dilapidated structures and workshops that were not very functional. But with the support of the Federal Government in the past two years, we were able to effect a change. I will say we were major beneficiaries of the change agenda of this government.”

     

  • Military to rename NAFRC

    A change of name and mandate for the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, is being considered, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has said.

    He spoke at the weekend at the retirement of 320 military personnel who underwent a six-month course at NAFRC.

    According to him, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) recently organised a workshop with the aim of harmonising all armed forces veterans’ associations.

    He said: “A veteran association of Nigeria has been proposed and modalities for its establishment are ongoing.

    “Also, a change in name and mandate of NAFRC is being considered to better reflect the current role of the centre in capacity development of our retiring officers, soldiers, ratings and airmen.”

    The retired personnel comprised 262 from the Army, 44 from the Navy and 14 from the Air Force.

    Gen. Olonisakin urged them to continue to contribute their quota towards surmounting threat to life and property within their domiciled area.

    “You will have to prove in your relationships that you have passed through a highly disciplined system such as the military.

    “I believe you are capable of succeeding and positively influencing whatever environment you find yourselves after now. I have no doubt that the trainings you have passed through would expose you to several entrepreneurial and management skills that would help mitigate the envisaged pitfalls as well as living a stress-free life in retirement,” he added.

    NAFRC Commandant Air Vice Marshall Austin Jekenu urged the retired personnel to make good use of the skills acquired, saying they should obey constituted authority and contribute to the progress of their communities.

  • NAFRC prepares 40 Generals for retirement

    THE Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos yesterday began a two-week entrepreneurship and management training programmes for 40 senior military officers of the general cadre.

    It was learnt that the training is aimed at ensuring a well-balanced and productive life after service for the general.

    The officers comprising 15 from the Nigerian Army (NA), 10 from the  Navy (NN), 10 from the Air Force (NAF) and five from NAFRC are expected to within two weeks, come up with viable business plans that would be scrutinised by the training facilitators, Empretec Nigeria Foundation.

    Inaugurating this year’s second edition of the course in Lagos yesterday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, urged the participants to take the training seriously.

    Olonisakin, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Muazu Salami, said: “ There is no doubt that life after service presents peculiar challenges, one of which is the need for retired officers to be able to still engage in meaningful economic activities with the aim of ensuring a productive and wholesome life after military service.

    “This is the aim of this training workshop.”

    Noting that it was the first time the training was being conducted at NAFRC since its inception in 2011, the CDS said the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) was working towards a review of the mandate of the centre to accommodate new thinking in line with modern trends.

    Aside the inauguration of the training, Olonisakin unveiled NAFRC’s remodelled 50 bedroomed guest house and a newly built resource centre.

    NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Ajibola Jekennu said over 42,000 servicemen and women have benefitted from the skills acquisition programme of the centre.

    Represented by his deputy, Maj.-Gen. Edward Nze, Jekennu said the participants would be taken through various modules specially designed to meet their needs.

    Giving a run-down of the programme, Empretec’s Country Director Mrs. Onari Duke urged the generals to give in their best, adding that those with good business plans would have access to local and international grants.

     

  • NAFRC prepares 40 Generals for retirement

    NAFRC prepares 40 Generals for retirement

    To ensure a well balanced and productive life after service, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre ( NAFRC ), Oshodi on sunday commenced a two-week entrepreneurship and management training programmes for 40 senior military officers of the general cadre.

    The officers comprising 15 from the Nigerian Army (NA), 10 from the Navy (NN), 10 from the Air Force (NAF) and five from NAFRC are expected to within two weeks, come up with viable business plans that would be scrutinised by the training facilitators, Empretec Nigeria Foundation.

    Inaugurating this year’s second edition of the course in Lagos yesterday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin urged the participants to take the training seriously.

    Olonisakin, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Muazu Salami, said: “As senior managers of the military enterprise, you are now being prepared to deploy knowledge already acquired in the course of your career to more civil use. There is no doubt that life after service presents peculiar challenges, one of which is the need for retired officers to be able to still engage in meaningful economic activities with the aim of ensuring a productive and wholesome life after military service.

    “This is the aim of this training workshop. l have been reliably informed that this training will expose you to discussions and exercises that would adequately prepare you to handle challenges encountered in retirement, particularly concerning that of starting your own businesses.

    “I therefore congratulate you all on your nomination to this workshop and urge you to take full advantage of the benefits it offers. I also expect that some of the skills you will acquire would add value to your productivity at your respective services.”

    Noting that it was the first time the training was being conducted at NAFRC since its inception in 2011, the CDS said the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) was working towards a review of the mandate of the centre to accommodate new thinking in line with modern trends.

    Aside the inauguration of the training, Olonisakin unveiled NAFRC’s remodelled 50 bedroomed guest house and a newly built resource centre.

    Earlier, NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Ajibola Jekennu over 42 thousand servicemen and women have benefitted from the skills acquisition programme of the centre.

    Represented by his deputy, Maj.-Gen. Edward Nze, Jekennu said the participants would be taken through various modules specially designed to meet their needs.

    He said: “Records and feedback we get indicate that a good number of out trainees are doing well in civil life. The centre is not stopping at juts training servicemen. The desire of the CDS to extend our services to commissioned officers informed our collaboration with Empretec Nigeria Foundation.

    “The senior officers entrepreneurship and management training workshop is designed to equip them with essential tools and requisite information towards positioning themselves for productive life after service.

    “The objective is mainly ri refocus attention to the fact that a meaningful and productive life can be pursued even after service. Managerial experiences and skills accumulated while in service could be skillfully put to use in civilian pursuits in order to live a wholesome, fulfilling life and still contribute to the progress of the country after military service.”

    Giving a run down of the programme, Empretec’s Country Director, Mrs. Onari Duke tasked the generals to give in their best, adding that those with good business plans would have access to local and international grants available.

    According to her, the initiative was from the United Nations and was currently running through 33 countries.

  • NAFRC appeals for agric loan as 295 military personnel retire

    The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos has appealed to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to facilitate loans through the Ministry of Agriculture for retired  military personnel.

    NAFRC’s Commandant Air Vice Marshal Ajibola Jekennu made the plea at the weekend during the retirement of 295 military personnel, who underwent a six months skills acquisition training/rehabilitation to prepare them for life after service.

    According to Jekennu, 80 per cent of the retirees, comprising 270 from the Nigerian Army, 18 from the navy and seven from the Air Force, indicated interest in venturing into agriculture.

    He said: “In line with the current diversification policy of the Federal Government, over 80 per cent of the graduating trainees opted for agriculture.

    “This exposed them to various trends in agriculture and we helped their training by emplacing two green houses within the premises of the centre.

    “The current management is desirous of transforming the centre to a modern training institution that will favourably compete with any of it’s kind anywhere in the world.

    “In this quest, we have enjoyed tremendous support and encouragement from the Minister of Defence, defence committees of the National Assembly and the Permanent Secretary, MOD.”

    To the retirees he said: “Bear in mind that as retired members of the armed forces, the society you are going back to expects much from you.

    “It is important that you uphold the professional ethics you have imbibed over the years by remaining obedient to constituted authority.”

    Commending the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, on the plan to review the mandate of NAFRC in synchronisation with modern trends, Jekennu said they had commenced renovation of a 50-room hostel facility ahead of the take off.

    He said: “It is worth noting that at no other time has the centre been given attention in terms of capital projects since inception like it has enjoyed in the last couple of months.”

    In his address, Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, urged the retirees not to misuse their retirement benefits, adding that they should avoid negative influence from friends and family members.

    The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring proper resettlement of ex-service personnel.

    He said: “The Federal Government is not relenting in its efforts to improve the welfare of service personnel. It has vigorously stemmed the tide of corruption while pursuing due process towards ensuring transparency, accountability and rule of law.

    “I enjoin you to key into this laudable strides towards building our democratic values and sustainable national development.

    “As ambassadors of the armed forces, you are also obliged to reflect the core values of loyalty, integrity and unalloyed service on your societal interactions and activities, particularly in the area of national security.