…FG to pay N18bn pension to retirees, rolls-out 2024 programmes/activities
By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Defence, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, on Friday called on Nigerians who have been hurt by the insurgency perpetuated by bandits especially across the North to forgive and have a change of hearts to those of them (insurgents) who have been surrounding and denouncing insurgency.
He said: “We call for co-operation from our citizens who rightly feel hurt by the deeds of these repentant insurgents in the past.”
Abubakar, in the meantime rolled out programmes and activities to mark the 2024-Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) usually marked yearly on January 15 to commemorate the end of the Nigerian civil war even as he said that President Bola Tinubu has approved the first tranche payment of N18 billion as part of group life assurance benefits to personnel who died from 2011 to 2021 with the view to offsetting the backlog soon.
Briefing the press in Abuja on the coming activities, he said the Security Debament Allowance (SDA) of N134, 749, 953, 243.69 kobo, has been approved since January this year, adding: “I’m glad to state that phased implementation of the SDA for the hitherto excluded veterans commenced has commenced since January 2023.
“By this, all veterans who retired/discharged honourably from the services of the Armed Forces will reap this benefit.
On the pension board, he acknowledged: “The Military Pension Board has continued to deliver on regular payment of persons. Verification exercises are carried out periodically by the board to ensure that only eligible pensioners are on the payroll.”
He added that other measures have been introduced to curb leakages, eradicate wastages and sharp practices.
While appreciating the Armed Forces for their patriotism, he noted that the country has been encumbered by serious internal security challenges in the last 10 years even as he added that the challenges have stretched resources of government and the Armed Forces.
“The Armed Forces have risen to these challenges not counting the cost in terms of ultimate sacrifice being paid by our troops. For this reason, I can say the situation is gradually improving considering from where we were before.
“It is sad to note that we had to bury 22 gallant officers and men of the Armed Forces felled by bandits on assumption of duty …the successes recorded by the by our Armed Forces have served as encouragement to persevere until victory is finally assured and all our displaced citizens return home.
“We therefore look forward to adopting proactive approach to combating our security challenges by harnessing our intelligence resources and having strong partnership with our West African neighbours.
“The federal government will also continue to equip the Armed Forces with combat capabilities, training and equipment with a view to reducing to the barest minimum, casualities due to operations.” Abubakar, said.
The Minister said it is gladdening to note that scores of insurgents have been surrounding and denouncing insurgency, adding that government will continue to de-radicalise and rehabilitate them for productive lives. Abubakar, called for co-operation from Nigerians who rightly feel hurt by the deeds of these repentant insurgents.