Defence Headquarters Moves To Secure Veterans’ Future With New Skills Training Initiative
As economic pressures deepen across the country, Nigeria’s military veterans, many of whom dedicated their most productive years to national service, are increasingly in need of sustainable support systems.
It is against this backdrop that the Defence Headquarters has rolled out a fresh empowerment initiative aimed at equipping ex-service personnel with practical skills for a stable post-service life.
The three-day Skills Acquisition Training for Veterans of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in the North-East, held from 19–21 November at the 23 Brigade Officers’ Mess, Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola, brought together retired personnel for hands-on sessions designed to strengthen their livelihoods.
Centred on the theme “Empowering Veterans Through Skills Acquisition for Capacity Building and Sustainability,” the programme covered vocational training, livestock management, financial literacy, and business opportunity identification.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, the Director of the Veteran Affairs Division, Major General Oluwafemi Williams, said the initiative was crafted to ensure veterans can lead meaningful and productive lives after active duty.
He noted that the training responds to long-standing concerns over veterans’ welfare and aims to improve their overall quality of life.
In a keynote address, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Amos Edgar, commended the Defence Headquarters for prioritising veteran empowerment.
He urged participants to make full use of the expert-led sessions, noting that the training would significantly boost the economic resilience of ex-service personnel in the North-East.
Earlier, in his welcome address delivered by Brigadier General Caius Baushe, Major General Williams reaffirmed that the CDS has placed the welfare of both serving and retired personnel at the forefront of defence policy.
He explained that the programme was designed to bridge gaps in post-service preparedness and to build capacity among veterans.
The event featured lectures by seasoned facilitators, the presentation of certificates and souvenirs, and a group photograph to mark the successful completion of the training.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the Adamawa State Governor, Dr Amos Edgar, Acting Commander Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/Commander 23 Brigade, Brigadier General Amechi Agwu, and Commander 153 Base Services Group, Group Captain MM Muazu, among others.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
