By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters has renewed its commitment to the welfare and long-term empowerment of retired military personnel with the organization of a three-day intensive Skills Acquisition Training programme for veterans of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) drawn from the North-East geo-political zone. The training, which held from 19 to 21 November 2025 at the 23 Brigade Officers’ Mess, Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola, was designed to enhance the wellbeing of veterans and equip them with valuable skills to navigate the country’s challenging economic climate.
In an official signed statement, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, disclosed that the theme of this year’s programme, “Empowering Veterans Through Skills Acquisition for Capacity Building and Sustainability,” underscores the Defence Headquarters’ deliberate effort to provide veterans with practical tools to sustain meaningful and productive post-service lives.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, AFM, the Director of the Veteran Affairs Division, Major General Oluwafemi Williams, emphasized that the training initiative is part of the Defence Headquarters’ broader vision to ensure that veterans remain economically independent, psychologically stable, and professionally equipped long after exiting active service. He noted that the carefully curated modules ranging from vocational trades and livestock management to financial literacy and business opportunity identification, address long-standing concerns about inadequate post-service preparedness among retired personnel.
General Williams explained that the CDS places high premium on improving the quality of life for both serving and retired personnel, acknowledging that the transition to civilian life often requires fresh competencies that programmes like this are designed to provide. He stressed that empowering veterans with skills that offer economic sustainability aligns with the military’s unwavering commitment to its personnel even beyond active duty.
Delivering his keynote address, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Amos Edgar, commended the Defence Headquarters for initiating a programme that directly addresses the economic concerns of veterans in the North-East, a region deeply affected by years of insurgency and security challenges. He described the initiative as a forward-thinking intervention that would significantly boost the financial resilience and overall wellbeing of retired military personnel. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity and apply the knowledge shared by expert facilitators to improve their livelihoods.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Veteran Affairs Division, Major General Williams represented by the Deputy Director, VAD (Army), Brigadier General Caius Baushe, reiterated that the CDS has consistently prioritized the welfare of serving and retired personnel and their families. He explained that the skills acquisition programme is part of a broader welfare strategy aimed not only at economic empowerment but also at promoting long-term capacity building for veterans. He added that the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in post-service planning and ensure that veterans are adequately prepared for productive life after military service.
The event featured a series of impactful lectures delivered by seasoned facilitators across various fields. The programme culminated in the presentation of certificates to participants, souvenirs to invited dignitaries and facilitators, and a group photograph that captured the spirit of unity and purpose that defined the training.
Dignitaries who graced the closing ceremony included the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Dr. Amos Edgar; Acting Commander Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/Commander 23 Brigade, Brigadier General Amechi Agwu, who represented the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division Nigerian Army; and the Commander 153 Base Services Group, Group Captain M. M. Muazu, among others.
