Army Trains Veterans, Personnel In Business Skills

The Nigerian Army has concluded a business skills training programme for its veterans and personnel nearing retirement in Rivers State.

The training, held in Port Harcourt, aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in post-retirement life.

The training’s theme, “Leveraging Business Development Strategies for Effective Empowerment of Service Personnel and Veterans in Post-Retirement Life,” is said to be part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to empower its veterans and personnel nearing retirement by providing them with business skills and knowledge aimed at enabling them to transition smoothly into civilian life and contribute to the country’s economic development.

In his closing remarks, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, Chief of Administration, Army, represented by Major General Uriah Opuene, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training to their personal development and the country’s growth.

He expressed confidence that the programme’s objectives had been met.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the objectives of the pre-retirement training and business development strategy for retiring personnel and members have been achieved. I believe that we all now have better perspectives on the issues deliberated upon. Frankly speaking, the gains of discussing these relevant topics cannot be overemphasised. It is on this note that the army headquarters never relents in offering seminars such as this.

“I strongly believe that capacity building is underpinned by knowledge throughout the period of the seminar and foundational understanding of this training; our personnel, including the veterans, stand a better chance of being more effective in preparation and leading a more successful and productive post-retirement life,” he stated.

On his part, Director Reserves, Army Headquarters in the Department of Administration, Brig Gen Eddie Effiong, mentioned that there is no doubt that the lecture has broadened the knowledge of participants on the way to more successfully and productively manage their post-retirement lives.

Earlier in his lecture titled “Development of Business”, Brig Gen Muraina Raji (rtd) emphasised the need for broad knowledge, dedication and identification of an area of strength in running a successful business. He mentioned that good market research, strategic skills, marketing skills, and financing are some of the keys to running a successful business venture.

Also, speaking on the topic “Managing a Successful Business”, Maj Gen Emmanuel Whyte (rtd) identified common mistakes people make in business to include who to employ, absence/lack of adequate monitoring of the business, lack of a benchmark, lack of clear-cut demarcation of finances, amongst others.

He added that location, financing and culture are also important aspects for consideration while establishing a business in order to be successful.

During the technical session, participants who spoke lauded the Army for the training and called for sustainability to benefit more personnel.

The highlight of the training was the presentation of certificates to participants.

Army Trains Veterans, Personnel In Business Skills is first published on The Whistler Newspaper