The Nigerian military has retired 343 non-commissioned officers (NCOs).
The retirement, which was announced by the Chief of Defence General, Gen. Lucky Irabor at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, at the end of six months of pre-retirement training on Saturday.
The 343 retired personnel are made up of 258 from the Nigerian Army (NA); 70 from the Nigerian Navy (NN) and 15 from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Irabor, represented by the Chief of Defence, Training and Operations, Rear Admiral George Eyo, said that the pre-retirement course was designed to prepare the retired personnel for civil life.
“It is our hope that on completion of this training, our gallant discharging servicemen and women seated here today will apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired and by so doing, comfortably enjoy the post service life.
“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 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 well-grounded ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavors and positively influence your environment for the economic development of our dear country,” the Chief of Defence Staff said.
He urged them to use the various entrepreneurial, business development and management skills they had learned to be developed economically.