By Sonia Odigie
The Retired Army Navy and Air Force officers Association ( RANAO) kicked off its 36th National Annual General Meeting at the National headquarters in Abuja on Monday, giving insights into the essence of the association.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Annual General Meeting – In Pursuit Of The Aspirations Of The Founding Fathers,” RANAO National chairman, Major General Abdulhafeez Gbadegesi Adewuyi (rtd), explained that “the function of the association is to ensure retired men and women of the Army Navy and Air Force do not go into oblivion, as officers are men who are versatile and individually have ideas for the nation, when they come together some of this ideas can be channeled, structured for the benefit of the nation.”
General Adewuyi, who spoke to journalists as part of the activities marking the kick off of the meeting, said: “The objective of forming the association where officers come together once every month to discuss issues affecting their welfare has been substantially achieved, foster the spirit of togetherness, spirit de corps, brotherhood and camaraderie.
“The association started as one chapter in Ibadan known as Oyo chapter and today has risen to 29 chapters. It is organized under three tiers of administration which include the National headquarters located l in Abuja, the zonal headquarters which are seven Zonal headquarters similar to the six political zones of the federation and chapters located in the States.”
General Adewuyi added that “the Annual General Meeting fosters the reflection and loyalty that you feel for people with whom you have spent the better part of your life. It has made it easier for the the association to move with the movers and shakers of the society.”