Lagos --------------- The Chief Of Defence Staff, CDS, General Leo Irabor has advised graduate trainees of Course 01/2021 to be wary of the freedom and challenges that come with post service life.

Irabor spoke through the Chief Of Operations, Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo, at the Passing Out Ceremony of the Course 01/202 trainees at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, Oshodi, Lagos State on Friday.

A total of 346 Course 01/2021 trainees successfully completed the entire requirement for the award of certificates on auto mechanic, soaps and cosmetics making, fine arts, photography, metal works, music, barbing and hairdressing, agricultural management among other courses.

“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 various endeavours and will positively influence your environment for the economic development of our dear country,” he said.

Irabor said that it was equally necessary to inform all discharged colleagues that post service life had its peculiar challenges.

“Some of these challenges are management of resources, especially your retirement benefits, influences from friends and family members, management of both mental and physical health and integrating with the civil society.

“Therefore, I urge you to be proactive in your conduct in other to overcome these challenges.

“You must appreciate that it is risky for you to embark on a new lifestyle that is above your means or engage in non lucrative ventures that is beyond your means,” the CDS said.

Irabor said that the training had exposed them to several vocational opportunities, entrepreneurship procedures and general management skills to enable them prepare for life after service.

“This will help you successfully navigate and circumscribe the above mentioned pitfalls in other to have a stress free and meaningful life in retirement.

“I employ you to enjoin the various instructions and skills you have acquired for economically productive and successful life as you reintegrate into the larger Nigerian civil society.

“I also encourage you to justify the magnanimity of the Federal Government’s recent approval of enhanced welfare packages for retiring members of the armed forces,” he said.

The CDS charged them to remain dedicated, disciplined and maintain the highest level of integrity with which they had served in the past 35 years.

“I commend the leadership of NAFRC for its relentless effort at ensuring that our discharged armed forces personnel are exposed to the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and management training.

“In this wise, their reviewed curriculum has enabled trainees to benefit from the modern trends of doing business." 

Irabor said that NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Idris, had initiated a case to convince appropriate authorities on the need to allocate starter packs for trainees upon completion of their course.

“I believe this move by the commandant has reached an advance stage and hopefully, subsequent courses will benefit from this effort.

“I thank the commandant and his team and sincerely urge them to continue this laudable initiative for high quality human capacity development,” he said.

The CDS said that they were also reviewing the harmonised terms and conditions of service as they approached another five year cycle of the documents.

“It is hoped that observations as relate to the welfare of the members of the armed forces will thoroughly be deliberated upon,” he said.

Irabor appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the military particularly the NAFRC through the provision of funds and general support to enable the centre fulfil its obligations.

Six awards were won by graduand trainees of the Course 01/2021.

The Commandant’s Award and Overall Best Trainee went to Army Warrant Officer Haruna Idris, Best Trainee (Nigerian Army); Master Warrant Officer Ayowaleyi Raphael.

The Best Trainee, Nigerian Navy, Able Seaman Ami Abraham, Best Trainee, Nigerian Air Force; Warrant Officer Bello Gbolahun, and Best Female Trainee; Master Warrant Officer Oluchi Charity.