From entrepreneurship trainings and bodily health to enhancements on the Officers’ Mess and the annual Tombola Night, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, has pursued initiatives to help personnel growth, operational readiness and institutional welfare. Chiemelie Ezeobi stories that the actions in September and early October replicate the centre’s dedication to getting ready officers for all times after retirement whereas strengthening camaraderie and cooperation amongst personnel and accomplice organisations
In growing personnel and strengthening institutional life, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, which is charged with getting ready army personnel for all times after lively service, has additionally been equipping them with abilities for productive engagement and supporting their skilled growth and welfare.
From entrepreneurship coaching and bodily health to enhancements within the Officers’ Mess and social actions, the centre’s latest programmes in September and October 2026, deal with totally different points of army life.
While the entrepreneurship course prepares officers to use their expertise to enterprise creation and financial growth, the route march reinforces the health and self-discipline required for nationwide defence.
At the centre of those efforts is its Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, whose involvement within the actions has underscored the significance {of professional} growth, self-discipline, welfare and cooperation.
Turning Military Experience Into Economic Value
Earlier in September, NAFRC graduated 33 mid- and senior-level officers from Entrepreneurship and Management Course 19/2026, organised in collaboration with EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation.
The programme was designed to assist officers translate their army service, management expertise and skilled self-discipline into sustainable enterprise and financial affect.
Through classroom instruction, sensible workouts and examine excursions, members have been launched to enterprise alternatives and the data required to determine and handle enterprises.
Speaking on the commencement ceremony, Ilo described the event as an essential milestone within the centre’s efforts to equip officers with sensible data of entrepreneurship and enterprise administration.
He urged the graduands to use what that they had learnt to their respective companies, communities and future companies whereas sustaining the values of self-discipline, integrity and professionalism.
The 33 members comprised 17 mid-level and 16 senior-level nominations, alongside two senior officers sponsored by the Commandant. They have been drawn from the Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and NAFRC.
According to the Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang E. Akpaumontia, the course coated agriculture, emotional intelligence, enterprise administration, authorized advisory, well being and life-style, entrepreneurship and technical modules.
The officers additionally visited Beloxxi Industries, the National Conservation Centre, Cormart Nigeria Limited, FoodCo Bukka Restaurant and Songhai Farm in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.
Akpaumontia stated the visits uncovered them to manufacturing, agriculture, meals companies, biodiversity, renewable power, built-in farming and zero-waste practices.
The Country Representative of EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation, Dr. Onari Duke, stated the programme was designed to rework army service, management expertise and skilled self-discipline into sustainable enterprise and financial affect.
She urged the graduands to turn out to be enterprise builders and brokers of financial resilience by figuring out alternatives, creating jobs and growing options in agriculture, know-how, manufacturing and companies.
She additionally assured them of the inspiration’s continued help by means of mentorship, post-training help and networking.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, urged the officers to not restrict themselves to searching for security-related jobs after retirement however to make use of their abilities to determine companies and contribute to the financial system.
Fitness and Discipline for National Defence
In September, the centre additionally performed its third-quarter 10-kilometre route march to bolster bodily health, endurance and self-discipline amongst personnel.
The train introduced officers and troopers collectively for a demanding march designed to construct stamina and maintain the bodily preparedness required for army duties.
Addressing personnel at its conclusion, Ilo recommended their participation and willpower, stressing that bodily health remained important to their wellbeing and operational effectiveness.
He urged them to make common train an integral a part of their day by day routine relatively than treating the quarterly route march as an remoted exercise.
The commandant emphasised that defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity required personnel to stay bodily match, mentally alert and steadfast in finishing up their duties.
He additionally charged them to keep up excessive requirements of self-discipline inside and outdoors the centre.
Ilo additional urged personnel to stay dedicated to defending Nigeria and defending the civil populace, stressing that their health, self-discipline and dedication have been important to constructing a protected and safe nation.
Inauguration of Officers’ Mess Lounge
On September 16, 2026, Ilo, the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Officers’ Mess, formally inaugurated the newly accomplished Mess Lounge, which was named in his honour.
At the ceremony, the President, Mess Committee, Air Commodore S. U. Bello, recommended the Grand Patron for his help and contributions to the event of the Officers’ Mess.
Bello famous that the achievements recorded by the Mess in its tasks and actions had been made potential largely by Ilo’s encouragement and help. He expressed appreciation for the Commandant’s immediate response to the committee’s wants and dedication to bettering the power.
He additionally assured Ilo that the committee would proceed working in the direction of reaching additional milestones within the growth of the Mess.
In his remarks, Ilo stated he had no regrets appointing the present President Mess Committee, including that the committee’s efficiency was evident within the tasks and enhancements recorded on the facility.
He inspired the committee to maintain its efforts and do extra to advance the event of the Mess. He additionally expressed honour at having the lounge named after him and pledged to offer additional help at any time when the necessity arose.
Annual Tombola Night Promotes Welfare and Cooperation
On October 2, 2026, the NAFRC Officers’ Mess hosted its Annual Tombola Night, that includes leisure, a number of rounds of attracts and prizes for members.
The occasion was organised to advertise the social welfare and wellbeing of personnel whereas strengthening relationships and mutually useful cooperation between the centre, safety businesses and organisations inside its areas of accountability.
Air Commodore Bello and members of the Mess Committee coordinated the programme, with a number of organisations sponsoring the occasion.
The arrival of Ilo, who is additionally the Grand Patron of the Officers’ Mess, formally signalled the graduation of the programme. He was accompanied by the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited; Commander Corps of Engineers; Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command; Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force; a consultant of the AIG Zone 2 Lagos Command, Nigeria Police Force; and different distinguished visitors and buddies of the centre.
The Tombola featured totally different classes, starting with the Early Bird spherical and persevering with with subsequent attracts. Winners obtained money prizes and items, together with family home equipment, meals provides, livestock and different objects.
Speaking on the occasion, Ilo appreciated the Mess Committee and sponsors for his or her contributions to its success, simply as he described Tombola as a part of army custom, offering a possibility for youthful officers to be taught its procedures whereas permitting personnel to unwind after a 12 months of official duties. He inspired visitors and personnel to loosen up, socialise and benefit from the night.
Together, the 4 occasions replicate NAFRC’s dedication to getting ready personnel for all times past lively service whereas sustaining the self-discipline, health and professionalism required in uniform.
Under AVM Ilo’s management, the centre continues to stress entrepreneurship, operational readiness and personnel welfare, whereas strengthening the camaraderie and cooperation that stay essential to army life and nationwide growth.
