By Faridat Salifu
The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, has acquired 40 hectares of land to expand agricultural training for retiring military personnel as part of efforts to promote self-reliance and strengthen food security.
The Commandant of the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, disclosed this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ilo said the Centre is seeking a strategic partnership with the ministry to support the expansion of its agricultural entrepreneurship programme through technical expertise, modern farming equipment, extension services and policy guidance.
According to him, agriculture has become one of the most popular vocational training programmes at the Centre, with nearly 80 per cent of retiring military personnel indicating interest in agricultural entrepreneurship.
He explained that the proposed collaboration would strengthen NAFRC’s capacity to equip retiring members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies with practical farming skills to enable them to build sustainable livelihoods after active service.
“The proposed collaboration will strengthen human capacity development, enhance food security and provide retiring military personnel with sustainable sources of livelihood while contributing to national economic growth,” Ilo said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its commitment to agricultural development and expressed confidence that the partnership would improve the Centre’s training programmes.
Responding, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, commended the Armed Forces for their continued sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and maintaining national security.
Kyari highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing food production and improving the welfare of citizens, assuring the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NAFRC.
The partnership is expected to strengthen agricultural entrepreneurship among retiring military personnel while contributing to national food security and economic development.
