Abuja: The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reiterated its dedication to supporting personnel transitioning out of the Armed Forces, focusing on post-service life through structured transition and rehabilitation programs.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Support Services at DHQ, Maj.-Gen. Olatokumbo Bello, highlighted this commitment during the conclusion of a Two-Day Pre-Retirement Transition Readiness Workshop for senior officers in Abuja. The initiative is designed to equip soon-to-be-retired officers with essential skills, psychological readiness, and legal awareness to facilitate their life after active duty.
Bello emphasized the significance of the program, stating, “The essence of this programme, as the name implies, is to assist officers who will soon retire from the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Defence Headquarters prioritises life after service, especially for those who have put in 20 to 30 years. It is important to prepare them with skills, advice, and psychological readiness that will follow them into retirement.”
The workshop was structured to encourage interaction, allowing officers to share experiences and provide feedback to help DHQ enhance future transition initiatives. “The products of this workshop will be packaged and used to further assist DHQ in preparing officers for the future,” Bello added.
Justice Godwin Iheabunike of the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered a lecture on ‘Legal Affairs, Will Writing and Retirement Rights’, urging personnel to prioritize legal preparedness. He explained that retirement planning encompasses more than financial aspects, including family, legal, and emotional stability. He stressed the importance of having affairs in legal order, including wills, powers of attorney, and pension documentation.
Justice Iheabunike identified four key goals of legal preparedness: preserving wealth, avoiding litigation, securing dignity in retirement, and promoting intergenerational equity. He also advocated for the preparation of living wills to manage assets and responsibilities in cases of incapacitation, ensuring peace of mind and family harmony.
Regarding pension rights, the judge reminded participants of their entitlements under the Pension Reform Act, 2014, and emphasized the importance of understanding their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) status and withdrawal rules. “A modest investment of time and professional advice today can avert costly and acrimonious disputes tomorrow,” he noted.
Ms Ijeoma Akwara, Project Coordinator for the Transition Assistance Programme, stated that the initiative aims to provide retiring officers with practical skills, legal knowledge, and psychological readiness. The workshop is benchmarking aspects of the United Kingdom’s model to ensure transparency and sustainability.
“The Defence Headquarters took it to the next level by approving a pilot group to validate the policy framework for the Transition Assistance Programme. Our officers are disciplined, well-trained and have served this country diligently. When such calibre of officers retire, we should not just leave them to the wind. The feedback from this pilot will guide a more elaborate version of the programme scheduled for January,” Akwara explained.
The two-day program featured presentations on various topics, including agro-businesses, entrepreneurship, economic development initiatives, and legal affairs.