NAFRC

The Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, has called for a strengthened institutional partnership between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Centre to boost agricultural entrepreneurship, food security and sustainable livelihoods for retiring military personnel.

The Commandant made the call during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, AVM Ilo commended the Minister for granting the audience and reaffirmed NAFRC's commitment to equipping retiring personnel of the Armed Forces and other security agencies with practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant after service.

The Commandant explained that agriculture remains one of the Centre's key areas of focus, revealing that about 80 per cent of participants undergoing resettlement training had indicated interest in agricultural entrepreneurship. He disclosed that the Centre had acquired 40 hectares of land to expand its agricultural training programme and sought the Ministry's support in the areas of technical training, modern equipment, extension services and policy guidance to ensure the success of the initiative.

According to him, the proposed collaboration would significantly enhance human capacity development, promote food security and provide retiring personnel with sustainable means of livelihood, thereby contributing to national economic growth.

Responding, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Armed Forces in safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity and maintaining national security.

The Minister highlighted the Federal Government's ongoing agricultural initiatives aimed at improving food production and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians. He expressed the Ministry's readiness to work closely with NAFRC and stressed the need to develop practical modalities that would facilitate the implementation of mutually beneficial programmes for retiring military personnel.

Senator Kyari also encouraged the Centre to organise beneficiaries into cooperative societies to enable them to access government intervention programmes and agricultural support schemes. He further advised NAFRC to outline and forward it's area of interest of the initiative to enable the Ministry provide appropriate technical assistance and other forms of institutional support in line with existing agricultural policies.

The visit underscored the shared commitment of the Ministry and NAFRC to fostering strategic collaboration aimed at empowering retiring service personnel through agriculture, enhancing food security and supporting the Federal Government's drive towards sustainable national development.