NAFRC

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in partnership with EPRETEC has inaugurated Officers from the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Customs Service for the mid and senior-level entrepreneurship course to equip them with necessary entrepreneurial skills before their disengagement from the service to live a fulfilling life.

The cohort of participants comprises 10 officers from the Nigerian Army, 6 from the Nigerian Navy, 15 from the Nigerian Airforce, and 2 from the Customs Service, totaling 33 officers.

During the inauguration ceremony, Air Vice Marshal AH Amesinlola, the Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, extended congratulations to the participants, emphasizing the crucial role entrepreneurship plays in national development. He urged them to fully utilize this rare opportunity and expressed confidence that the course would significantly benefit the participants based on enhancements made from previous observations.

The Commandant emphasized the timeliness of preparing for retirement, encouraging participants to develop business plans and secure capital, thereby mitigating the anxiety associated with unprepared retirement. In his words: "This is the right time to develop business plan and capital. The phobia associated with unprepared retirement will be reduced if not totally eradicated"

He acknowledged the support of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who recognizing the course's significance and positive feedback, increased its frequency to multiple times a year. The Commandant also commended the Service Chiefs for their approvals and expressed gratitude to the Empretec Foundation for their dedicated involvement in the course.

Also, Mrs. Onary Duke, the Empretec country representative, highlighted the program's objective to enhance individual and institutional capacity using Harvard methodology and global standards. Emphasizing the importance of early retirement preparation, she encouraged participants to leverage the program's diverse benefits, encompassing not only entrepreneurial skills but also behavioral and technological skills.

Mrs. Duke expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with NAFRC and pledged to continue working with participants to uncover their hidden skills, extending beyond the training period.

In a similar development, to familiarise the participants with the Centre and its activities, the Commanding Officer Agricultural Wing, Major A Yakubu gave a detailed report of the Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, showcasing its history and uniqueness.

It is noteworthy that EMPRETEC serves as a flagship capacity-building program of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), focusing on promoting entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium enterprises to foster sustainable development and inclusive growth.