Former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Adm. Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, has urged retired military personnel to remain active contributors to national development.
Ibrahim made the call at the 41st Anniversary Reunion Dinner of the 6th Regular Course Alumni Association of the Naval War College, on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that retirement from service should not mean retirement from serving Nigeria, adding that experience, knowledge and leadership acquired during military service remained invaluable to nation-building.
According to him, those virtues should be channeled into mentoring younger generations and strengthening national institutions.
“Retirement from active service does not mean retirement from national service. Our country still needs our wisdom, mentorship and counsel,” he said.
The former defence chief noted that the changing global security environment requires Nigeria to build resilient institutions, develop indigenous capabilities and invest in human resources to safeguard its sovereignty.
He said that national security no longer depends solely on external support, as countries are increasingly looking inward to protect their interests.
He described personnel as the military’s greatest asset, saying character, professionalism and mutual trust remained more valuable than weapons and equipment.
“Rank may command obedience, but character earns respect. Long after retirement, people remember not the positions we occupied but the values we lived by and the lives we touched,” he said.
He commended members of the 6th Regular Course for sustaining the spirit of military brotherhood over the past 41 years and for supporting one another as well as the families of deceased colleagues.
The retired admiral also acknowledged the sacrifices of military spouses and families, saying their patience and resilience were critical to the success of military careers.
He urged the alumni to continue upholding the values of integrity, discipline, loyalty and patriotism, stressing that an officer’s greatest legacy lay in character, enduring friendships and positive contributions to society.
Ibrahim congratulated the alumni on the milestone and wished them many more years of unity, good health and purposeful service to the nation.
Earlier, President of the alumni association, retired Commodore Alex Nimyel, described the reunion as a celebration of a journey that began on July 8, 1985, when members assembled as young cadets united by a common commitment to serve Nigeria.
Nimyel said that the reunion provided an opportunity to reflect on shared experiences, renew friendships and strengthen the enduring bond forged through military training and service.
He also paid tribute to departed coursemates, saying their spouses and children remained part of the association’s family.
He urged members to continue upholding the values of unity, loyalty, professionalism and brotherhood that defined their years in service.
Speaking on the topic, “Humanity, Human Resources and the Wealth of Brotherhood,” retired Rear Adm. Elkana Jaiyeola urged retired officers to prioritise genuine relationships over social status.
Jaiyeola warned that many people silently battle financial, emotional and health challenges while pretending all is well.
Jaiyeola said the greatest wealth of military veterans was not their ranks, titles or material possessions but the trust and friendship built over decades of service.
He encouraged members to create an environment where colleagues could openly seek help without fear of stigma.
He also urged the alumni to invest more in people than possessions by maintaining regular contact, supporting one another in retirement and caring for the widows and families of departed colleagues.
He stressed that compassion, kindness and enduring friendships remain an individual’s greatest legacy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alumni had earlier visited the Abuja Children’s Home Karu, where they donated food and other items to the orphanage.
