Salary increase: Veterans’ pensions will rise, Oluyede assures ex-servicemen
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Salary increase: Veterans’ pensions will rise, Oluyede assures ex-servicemen
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured military veterans that the ongoing salary review for serving personnel will translate into increased pensions for retired officers and men.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Thursday during an interactive engagement with veterans from the North-East Zone in Yola, Adamawa State.
INCNews247 reports that the meeting was the second in a series of zonal consultations being organised by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ to engage veterans across the country on their welfare and other concerns.
Addressing the veterans’ concerns over the salary increment, the CDS said the exercise was comprehensive and would benefit those entitled to consequential adjustments in their pensions.
He said, “The implementation is ongoing,” adding that, in line with existing policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving military personnel would have a consequential effect on the pensions of veterans.
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Oluyede said the Defence Headquarters remained committed to improving the welfare and dignity of retired personnel who had served the country.
He also disclosed that the DHQ was collaborating with the Bank of Industry to facilitate access to low-digit loans for business ventures by serving and retired military personnel and their families.
According to him, the initiative is part of measures to enable veterans and serving personnel establish sustainable businesses and improve their economic wellbeing.
The CDS further disclosed that the construction of the Defence Hospital was ongoing, assuring the veterans that a percentage of the hospital’s patronage would be reserved for them.
He said the initiatives had the backing of President Bola Tinubu, who, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, had provided resources to drive programmes designed to appreciate the sacrifices of serving and retired military personnel.
Oluyede, in his closing remarks, paid tribute to the veterans for their sacrifices in defending the nation.
He said although the veterans had taken off their uniforms, the nation’s gratitude for their service would remain.
The CDS assured the veterans that the Defence Headquarters, under the Ministry of Defence, would continue to pursue measures aimed at improving their welfare.
He added that Nigeria would continue to cherish the service, courage and sacrifices of those who had served to keep the country safe.
Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Salihu expressed appreciation to the CDS for engaging with them and urged retired personnel to support efforts by the military leadership to improve the welfare of serving personnel and veterans.
The veterans also raised other welfare-related concerns during the engagement, with the CDS assuring them that the issues would continue to receive appropriate attention.
The meeting was attended by veteran leaders, including the President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, Major General H.A. Salihu (retd.), Major General L.P. Ngubane (retd.) and Air Vice Marshal N.E. Nzokala (retd.).
The Defence Headquarters said the Yola engagement provided an opportunity for frank dialogue between the military leadership and veterans, while also helping to strengthen confidence in ongoing welfare initiatives.
