Health
COAS pledges N25m for retired officers’ medical fund
Gilbert Ekugbe
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged N25 million to support the medical needs of retired military officers through the Emergency Health Fund of the Course 39 Nigerian Defence Academy United Welfare Association.
In a post obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X handle, Shaibu made the pledge on Thursday, when members of the association’s Executive Committee, led by its President, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (Rtd), paid a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of serving and retired personnel, stressing that caring for those who had served the country remained an enduring responsibility.
“Underscoring the Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel beyond active service, we have pledged ₦25 million to the association’s Emergency Health Fund to support the medical needs of its members.
“Caring for those who have served the nation remains an enduring responsibility and an important component of personnel welfare,” Shaibu said.
He described continued engagement with retired officers and veterans as an important pillar of institutional development, noting that their operational experience, professional knowledge and leadership expertise remained valuable to the Army.
According to him, sustained engagement with veterans would strengthen institutional memory, mentorship and continuity within the service while providing useful perspectives for addressing contemporary security challenges.
Shaibu also outlined several ongoing reforms aimed at improving the Army’s operational effectiveness and building a more professional, adaptable and technologically enabled force.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Army had expanded to 12 divisions and integrated 28,000 recruits through regional training depots in Zaria, Osogbo and Amasiri Edda.
The initiatives, he said, were designed to enhance the Army’s operational reach and responsiveness across the country.
The Army Chief further disclosed that the service was implementing a revised training curriculum with greater emphasis on marksmanship, physical fitness and fieldcraft.
He said the changes were intended to prepare troops to operate effectively in increasingly complex security environments.
Shaibu also said the Army was advancing its transition towards multi-domain operations through the integration of space, cyber and non-kinetic capabilities.
He added that the service was developing Army aviation and unmanned aerial systems to improve situational awareness, operational mobility and responsiveness to emerging threats.
On personnel welfare beyond active service, the COAS highlighted the Senior Executive Transition Programme, which is designed to prepare retiring senior officers and their spouses for post-service life.
He described the programme as part of the Army’s broader effort to strengthen welfare throughout and beyond military service.
Earlier, Daramola congratulated Shaibu on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff and his elevation to the rank of Lieutenant General.
He commended the Army Chief for efforts to strengthen the service’s force structure and operational capabilities, while expressing appreciation for the Army’s support to the association.
Daramola particularly acknowledged the Army’s assistance in areas including health insurance, emergency support and capacity-building programmes.
He assured the COAS that members of Course 39 remained willing to contribute their operational, technical and leadership experience to the Army.
“Members of Course 39 remain willing to contribute their extensive operational, technical and leadership experience through mentorship, advisory support and specialised expertise,” Daramola said.
He said such contributions would support the Nigerian Army’s objectives and broader national security efforts.
The engagement highlighted the Army leadership’s stated commitment to strengthening ties with veterans while improving personnel welfare, training, technology and operational capabilities.
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