Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has urged over 600 graduates of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Course 02/2024 to leverage their acquired skills and training to contribute to national development. Speaking at the Passing Out Ceremony held on December 12, 2024, he emphasized the importance of transitioning into civilian life with the values of discipline, hard work, and service learned throughout their military careers.
The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi witnessed a momentous occasion today as the graduating participants of Course 02/2024 were honoured during a formal Passing Out Ceremony. The event, attended by key military figures and distinguished guests, marked the successful completion of vocational, entrepreneurial, and managerial training for over 200 retiring military personnel transitioning to civilian life.
Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, was the Special Guest of Honour. In his address, he extended heartfelt congratulations to the Commandant, the graduating participants, and the entire NAFRC community. He commended the graduates for their commitment, discipline, and hard work throughout their careers, emphasizing that their training at the Centre had equipped them with the necessary skills to thrive as entrepreneurs and contributors to national development.
“This ceremony symbolizes a profound milestone, especially for our gallant servicemen and women who are transitioning to civilian life after years of selfless service to our beloved nation,” said Air Marshal Abubakar, who urged the graduates to carry forward the values of discipline, courage, and commitment that defined their military careers.
He highlighted the importance of the NAFRC in preparing retiring personnel for life beyond active service, noting the Centre’s success in providing relevant vocational and managerial training to over 51,000 personnel since its inception. Air Marshal Abubakar also paid tribute to fallen comrades who paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria, acknowledging their sacrifices and reinforcing the legacy they left behind.
Addressing the challenges faced by the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Mamman, the Commandant of NAFRC, also delivered a speech outlining the Centre’s progress, including the renovation of infrastructure, introduction of new training programs, and expansion into agricultural training. He emphasized the importance of continuing to equip retiring personnel with the skills needed to avoid becoming liabilities to society.
“In just a short period, we have made strides towards transforming NAFRC into a world-class Centre of Excellence in vocational training,” AVM Mamman said, highlighting plans to develop the Centre’s agricultural land and introduce e-learning initiatives in 2025. He also mentioned the upcoming construction of a Widows/Orphans Empowerment Centre to support the families of deceased personnel.
Both speakers thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the Armed Forces, particularly for the development of NAFRC, and acknowledged the contributions of various military branches and government bodies in the Centre’s success.
The ceremony was not only a celebration of the graduates’ achievements but also a reaffirmation of the Nigerian military’s commitment to the welfare and development of its personnel, both active and retired. As the graduates step into new chapters of their lives, they carry with them the legacy of service and the skills needed to build a prosperous future.
In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar encouraged the graduates to remain active contributors to their communities, reinforcing the importance of their continued involvement in the peace and development of Nigeria.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including senior military officers, family members of the graduates, and distinguished guests, all of whom shared in the pride and joy of the graduates’ accomplishments.