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By Tracy Moses
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, has called on retired personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to remain actively involved in community-based security efforts as part of ongoing national strategies to curb crime and strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering.
Aneke made the call during an interactive parley with NAF veterans at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi on Monday, where he also unveiled a comprehensive package of welfare and reintegration programmes aimed at improving the post-service lives of retired personnel.
He said retired airmen and officers remain critical stakeholders in national security, noting that their experience, discipline and familiarity with local environments place them in a unique position to support early warning and crime prevention efforts within their communities.
“Even in retirement, our veterans remain a vital asset to national security. Their vigilance and timely sharing of security-related information with relevant agencies can significantly help in preventing crime and enhancing safety at the community level,” the CAS said.
Represented at the event by the Director of Personnel Management, NAF Headquarters, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal David Dickson, Aneke explained that the parley was part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen institutional ties with its veterans while addressing welfare and reintegration challenges faced after active service.
He noted that the Nigerian Air Force has, in recent years, intensified civil–military engagement and intelligence-driven security initiatives to respond to evolving security threats across the country, adding that integrating veterans into community-based security frameworks aligns with these national objectives.
To further support retired personnel, the CAS announced the introduction of the Veterans Skill Acquisition and Employment Support Programme, which he said would be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
“The programme is designed to help our retirees acquire vocational skills and adapt their military expertise to civilian employment opportunities, thereby easing their transition into post-service life,” Aneke stated.
He disclosed that other welfare interventions include healthcare support for veterans and their spouses, Group Life Assurance Policy (GLAP) benefits for families of deceased personnel, improved remuneration for re-engaged veterans serving in specialised roles, burial support, welfare assistance for widows, as well as structured engagement programmes for veterans.
According to him, the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to prioritising the dignity, welfare and reintegration of its retired personnel through sustained policy advocacy, strategic partnerships and targeted interventions.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command (TAC), Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal Chinegwu Ekwueme, described the parley as a clear demonstration of the Air Force’s respect and appreciation for its veterans and their contributions to the growth and professionalism of the service.
He said the command fully aligns with the CAS’s vision of building a motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering effective air power in support of national security objectives.
The parley, tagged “End-of-Year 2025 Parley,” which ushered veterans into the 2026 New Year, also featured medical outreach services, health education sessions and paper presentations.
One of the presentations focused on translating military skills into civilian careers and was delivered by retired Squadron Leader Mathias Tsekaa.