The military on Friday retired 316 senior Non-Commissioned Officers, NCOs, charging them to be mindful of challenges of post-service life as they prepared for retirement.
The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Leo Irabor gave the charge during the Passing Out Ceremony of the trainees’ Course 01/2022 Stream 2, NAFRC Oshodi, Lagos State.
The 316 trainees graduated from the programme; 273 from the Nigerian Army, 37 from the Nigerian Navy and six from the Nigerian Air Force.
Mr Irabor, informed the graduands of the many challenges associated with post-service life, urging them to be proactive in their conduct to overcome the challenges.
“Some of the challenges you will face include how you manage your resources, especially your retirement benefits, the influence from members of your family and friends.
“Others include management of your physical and mental health, integrating with the civil society as well as the high level of insecurity in our nation,” the CDS said.
Mr Irabor, however, charged them to be bold, courageous and remain disciplined and focused as they take full charge as planners and executors of their 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,” he said.
The general also advised them to be wary of subversive elements within their environment and avoid associating with them in any form as they retired into the larger society.
“It is also risky for you to embark on a new lifestyle that is above your means, or engage in non-lucrative ventures, neither should you abstain from physical exercises.
“Your training has exposed you to several vocational opportunities, entrepreneurship procedures and general managerial skills to alleviate the above-mentioned pitfalls for a meaningful life in retirement.
“In this wise, employ the various knowledge and skills you have acquired while undergoing NAFRC training for peaceful and productive economic life as you reintegrate into the Nigerian civil society,” he said.
Mr Irabor encouraged them to justify the magnanimity of President Muhammadu Buhari who had continued to support the armed forces, most especially, the retiring members as seen in the enhanced welfare packages.
He commended the leadership of NAFRC under AVM Idi Lubo for its relentless efforts at ensuring that discharging armed forces personnel were exposed to the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and management training.
NAN
