No fewer than 342 officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces were retired from service on Friday, after undergoing a six-month training at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Lagos.
A breakdown of the figure shows that while 243 of the retired officers were from the Nigerian Army, 100 were from the Nigerian Navy and 16 from the Nigerian Air Force.
But one of them was said to have died few days before graduating from the Centre.
Commandant of the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, explained told journalists at the passing out ceremony of Course 01/2020 that before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has restricted both interstate and inter-country movements, the retiring officers were taken through practical and theoretical aspects including travelling to other states and abroad.
Lar said that the essence of the training was to acquaint them with vocational skills that would enhance meaningful post-service life.
He further disclosed that as part of the efforts to broaden the scope of the centre, intake of trainees were extended to other security and paramilitary agencies.
He said, “In line with my vision to transform the NAFRC to a world class centre for excellence for the training of vocational skills, not only for disengaging military personnel but for those in service as well as members of security and paramilitary agencies, the Defence Headquarters has approved one hundred slots for the police, paramilitary agencies, including strategic military ministries, departments, and agencies of government.
“So, the next course which is in July 2020, is going to have trainees from the Police, Customs, Correctional Services, Immigrations, NEMA and the Ministry of Finance, Defence, Foreign Affairs, among others.