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Calls for review
By Molly Kilete, Abuja
Former governor of Ondo State Dr Olusegun Mimiko has kicked against what he described as the premature retirement of military officers from service in their prime when they still have much to offer the nation.
Mimiko said retiring officers who are still in their fifties, because one of their mates or juniors has been appointed a service chief, is a disservice to the nation, considering the training and experience they have acquired over the years.
He has therefore called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, look into the situation, especially at this time when the nation is battling numerous security challenges.
The former governor made the call at the presentation of the book, Warrior Ethos in Perspective, authored by Major General Charles Ofoche (Rtd), in Abuja.
Mimiko, while calling for a review of military retirement policies to ensure that officers are not retired in their prime, said, “Officers retire at 56, 58, and 60 years, yet in academia and the judiciary, the retirement age is 70 years. I think retiring officers at 60 years, after all their training and battle exposure, is a disservice to the nation.”
He said the early retirement of military officers from service has no doubt affected the success of operations to wipe out insecurity in the country.
He praised General Ofoche for embodying warrior ethos throughout his service, recalling his exemplary leadership as Brigade Commander in Ondo State while he was governor at the time.
He equally commended the officers and men of the armed forces for their sacrifice, commitment, and resilience in keeping the country one and united.