The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said Nigeria still needs the expertise and wealth of experience of retired military officers in combating the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
Matawalle disclosed this at a dinner in honour of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, organised by members of Nigerian Defence Academy 38 Regular Course Welfare Association on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the experience acquired over the years as military officers would remain crucial even as they embarked on another phase of life.
The Minister explained further that the country needed them as professionals and experts to bring to bear their expertise and experience in addressing to the myriads of challenges confronting the country.
He noted that it is expected that they now have special time to recollect and bring forward ideas to tackle the problems without any hindrance.
“I encourage you to, from time to time, critically brainstorm on the challenges confronting the country with a view to providing workable solution.
“I want to assure you that the Ministry of Defence is ever ready to receive you as group of expert thinkers to dialogue on issues of defence and security concerns in our country.
“In view of the immense training and experience of these eminent gentlemen and highly exposed security professionals, we will ensure that your time in retirement is pleasant and we will continue to take your welfare as priority at the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
Matawalle posited that the efforts to move the nation forward was a collective responsibility of all, saying that God had already blessed Nigeria with enormous talented military officers.
