By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has said that the Nigerian Army (NA), remains committed to enhancing the welfare of its retired and discharged personnel within the power of his office.
Faruk gave the assurance in a goodwill message during the send-forth ceremony and regimental dinner night in honour of retired officers from rank of Colonel and bellow in 1 Division Nigerian Army on Friday in Kaduna.
The COAS, represented by Commandant Depot Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Aminu Chinade, said the occasion was conceived out of my desire to accord befitting send- forth ceremony to all personnel that served the NA and NIgeria meritoriously and are retiring from active service.
According to him, retirement is an inevitable phase in the life of every military personnel and it’s mark the completion of active service to the nation.
“I must commend you all for the remarkable achievement you made while in active service to the nation.
“I wish to also assure you that NA remains grateful for the service you rendered in the defence of our fatherland.
“I will like to take this opportunity to inform you of ongoing efforts to re-engage the services of our qualified retired and discharged personnel in order to continue to benefit from your wealth of priceless experience and professionalism garnered over the years.
“The army is still open to your invaluable contribution towards attaining her constitutional mandate and would always welcome your support in that regard,” he said.
Yahaya informed the retired officers that NA health facilities and other welfare institutions are available to them in various barracks and cantonments across the nation.
He implored they fulfill their obligations, even as retired officers, towards defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, as espoused in their oath of allegiance.
“I also urge you all to shun all forms of misconduct or actions capable of bringing the army to disrepute in retirement, as you are seen as worthy ambassadors of Nigerian Army.
“I wish you all a happy retirement and offer you the assurance of my best leadership for the NA, “Yahaya said.
In his remarks, the guest of honor, Maj-Gen Mahmud Yarima (rtd), emphasized that retirement is a gratifying phase in the life of every military personnel .
Yarima a former commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), said it is a milestone which is worth celebrating.
He cautioned them on how to enjoy their entitlement, “as there are many fraudster waiting to defraud you.
“You must be careful of falling victims of their fraudulent activities, they have misled many of our colleagues in the end the outcome has not been pleasant.
“All I need to say in this regard is that you must “shine your eyes”.
Also the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Kabir Mukhtar, said this historic event signifies another milestone made by the administration of the COAS in his zeal to upholding regimentation of the Nigerian Army. Mukhtar said the four vital elements of his administration which are professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation aimed are aimed at running all-inclusive Nigerian Army at all levels.
He said, “today we are here to celebrate and honour our retired officers who in many ways have contributed to the Nigeria Army in particular and the nation in general.
At the send-forth, 14 officers from rank of Colonel and below who retired from 1 Division NA area of responsibility were honoured.
