The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged retired service members to embrace skills acquisition as a way to improve their livelihoods and cope with current economic realities.
Oluyede made this call in Yola during the opening of a three-day training programme designed to help veterans start and manage sustainable agricultural businesses. The initiative, he explained, supports the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and promote self-reliance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking through the Director of Army Veterans Affairs, Maj. Gen. Oluwafemi Williams, the Defence Chief noted that many retired personnel are currently struggling financially due to declining purchasing power, a situation that affects their families as well.
He said the Defence Headquarters has therefore ordered a nationwide capacity-building programme tailored to the six geopolitical zones, with trainings covering poultry farming, fishery, snail production, livestock management, irrigation methods, and modern crop cultivation.
Oluyede encouraged participants to take advantage of facilitators and private sector partners to build networks that will benefit their enterprises, expressing hope that the skills gained will support their post-service lives.
Representing the Director of Veterans Affairs Division, Brig. Gen. Caius Baushe explained that the initiative is expected to strengthen retired officers’ capacity to manage life after active duty and overcome economic challenges.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Chief of Staff Amos Edgar, commended the programme and advised beneficiaries to apply the training to rebuild and upgrade their livelihoods.
A retired Air Force Master Warrant Officer, Yirka Mark, urged governments to recruit healthy veterans as forest guards to support the fight against kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities in the country’s forests.
The training comes two months after retired military personnel protested in Abuja over unpaid retirement benefits.
