Post Service Resettlement Scheme in the Armed Forces

POST SERVICE RESETTLEMENT SCHEME IN THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

INTRODUCTION

1. It is a common saying that everything that has a beginning will surely have an end. This could apply to the lifetime of a man and his ability to work. Hence, in most countries the working class population is between the age-bracket of 16-65. The standard retirement age of varies from country to country, but it is generally between 50 and 70. The period is mostly characterised by the body not being able to cope effectively with work. Retirement can be defined as the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work. It can also be defined as the period of one's life after leaving one's job and ceasing to work which can also be regarded as post service life.

2. It is a common phenomenon that a significant number of personnel retire from the Nigeiran Armed Forces yearly. Many of these personnel find themselves filled with anxiety on the receipt of their letters of retirement. This is mostly sequel to the fact that they were not adequately prepared for the other side of life at the time of disengagement from the Service. Nigerian Air Force personnel disengage from Service under varying circumstances from voluntary to compulsory retirement. Post service life is supposed to be a period for a satisfied accomplishment and reminiscence.

3. The resettlement scheme of the Nigeria Armed Forces is aimed at aiding the retiree cope with the challenges faced and prepare him for life after retirement. As part of the resettlement scheme are various welfare schemes in the NAF as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC). This scheme however is faced with a lot of challenges. Some of these challenges include inadequate retirement benefits, lack of retirement programme for officers, housing problems and delay of pension benefits.

4. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the post service resettlement scheme in the NAF. The paper is limited to the post service resettlement scheme in the NAF. This paper will examine NAF Retirement policy before discussing the NAF resettlement scheme. Thereafter, it would analyze prospects of the NAF resettlement scheme. Finally, it will discuss the challenges of post service resettlement scheme in the NAF. It is assumed that both NAF Officers and airmen have similar challenges in post service life.

AIM

5. The aim of this paper is to examine the challenges of post service resettlement scheme in the NAF with a view to making recommendations.

SCOPE

6. NAF RETIREMENT POLICY FOR NAF PERSONNEL

7. POST SERVICE RESETTLEMENT SCHEME IN THE NAF

8. PROSPECTS