‘Retired military officers pivotal to Nigeria’s security, development’

Retired military personnel still have a lot to contribute to national development and security of Nigeria given their abundant knowledge and experience.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Gboribiogha John Jonah, a retired Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy, stated this at the Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday when members of the Board of Trustees of the Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers’ Association of Nigeria (RANAO) visited him.

He however called on the governments at the federal and state levels to maximize the potentials of such well-trained retired officers, to curb the current security challenges in the country.

Jonah also appraised the contributions of Nigerian military as an institution, to the unity of Nigeria, given its diversity.

Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of RANAO, retired Maj.-Gen. Zamani Lekwot, said they were in the state for its 3st National Annual General Meeting, holding in Yenagoa.

Lekwot, who is also a former military governor of old Rivers State, said the body was established to further engage retired officers for purposes of national development, even on retirement as well as catering for the welfare of retired officers.

He noted that, RANAO was a voluntary non-religious and apolitical organization, formed to serve as a platform to fully utilize the potentials of retired officers.