By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigerian Legion yesterday pleaded with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to “not get tired of looking at the welfare of veterans,” about salary increases for the serving members of the armed forces.
Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Maj-Gen Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd) made the plea at the end of ceremonies climaxing the armed forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier” located at the national arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja.
Specifically, the occasion was the wreath-laying ceremony where President Tinubu led the leadership of the National Assembly, the judiciary, the armed forces, and other critical stakeholders to honour the county’s living and fallen heroes.
Others included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa who led all the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, and heads of paramilitary organisations to grace the occasion organised to honour the country’s departed heroes.
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Fielding questions from newsmen at the end of the ceremonies, Gen Jibrin said “I want the government, in addition to the creating this day, to continue to enhance the well-being of those who have served and left. Those families of the fallen heroes including those who are serving. Government should not get tired of looking at the welfare of veterans, especially when it’s related to the increase of salary of serving members of the armed forces.”
He also called on the government to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars as well as through other international engagements including operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and under the United Nations and African Union.
“I am sure you know, the unfortunate incident of fighting civil war in Nigeria 1967 – 1970. The end of it signifies a day of joy. The number of people that we lost, who made a supreme sacrifice on both sides is also a source of solemn remembrance, that we pray for the repose of their souls and for the sacrifice they made.”
Continuing, Jibrin said, “Here should be a corresponding increase of the pensions of those who have served and left. The families of the fallen heroes, actually after the demise of the loved ones, left. After giving them the entitlement of gratuity and death benefits, they are left in the hands of the Nigerian Legion.
While noting that the Nigerian Legion is not well grounded in terms of finances, to be able to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of looking after all the families of the fallen heroes, the veteran also expressed the need for the Tinubu-led administration “to continuously look at our allowances, our pensions in correspondence, and also about the inflationary tendency that we’re all experiencing now.
“Otherwise after leaving service you are already about 60 something and your health challenge is enormous, if you do not have enough allowance or pensions, you will not be able to take care of yourself. And there are limitations as to the category of health care you can receive after retirement. It is limited to only yourself and your wife, and if you have any child that is below 18. That’s all it can do.
On how the government can assist the retirees and the family of heroes, Gen Jibrin urged the government to consider “improvement and increase of the pension and allowances that are entitled to us after service.”
