NAFRC

The Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Honourable Olugbenga Oyerinde, paid a visit to the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos, accompanied by his entourage.

The visit, which took place under the guidance of the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Herbert Amesinlola, on 28 August, 2024, aimed to enhance understanding and forge stronger partnerships between the Ministry and the Centre.

During his address, Oyerinde articulated the purpose of his visit, emphasizing the need to brief NAFRC's management on the mandate of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.

He outlined that the Ministry oversees several agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Safety Commission, the Lagos State Fire Service, and the Command and Control Centre.

He stressed the Ministry's role in promoting welfare and fostering relationships with both private and public sector entities, including federal agencies. Honourable Oyerinde admitted that, despite frequently passing by the Centre, he was unfamiliar with its operations, which prompted the visit.

In his remarks, Air Vice Marshal Herbert Amesinlola expressed his gratitude to the Honourable Commissioner and his team for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit NAFRC. He highlighted that the visit was in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff to strengthen civil-military relations by bringing the military closer to the people.

“NAFRC has been actively engaged in this mission by creating partnerships with relevant bodies to contribute to national development and maximise available opportunity.

He elaborated on the Centre’s core responsibilities, which include providing skills acquisition and management training for military retirees, noting that the training programs have been instrumental in helping retirees integrate into society, with many of them venturing into agriculture and waste management.

He emphasized the need to develop the 50 hectares of land provided by the Lagos State Government to NAFRC, which would support the expansion of these critical training programs.

The Commandant stated the pressing issue of space constraints at the Centre, stressing that within the next three years, the number of trainees is expected to exceed the current capacity, therefore called for the Lagos State Government’s partnership to secure the land documentation and assist in the development of the proposed agriculture and waste management wings, as part of NAFRC’s broader expansion plans.

AVM Amesinlola also sought the government’s collaboration in extending NAFRC’s skills acquisition programs to the youth, noting that similar training was previously conducted for youths in the Ikorodu constituency.

He concluded by inviting Honourable Oyerinde and his team to the Centre's passing out ceremony scheduled for 12th December 2024, which will mark the completion of training for the current batch of trainees.