Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja said he has approved N134.7 billion for the payment of Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to all veterans.
Buhari disclosed this at the launch of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal fund.
The President also announced a donation of N10 million to the Nigerian Legion, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking at the occasion, which preceded the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the President pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of veterans by ensuring prompt payment of their pension and other entitlements.
Buhari said he has been demonstrating by his approval of the payment of SDA to veterans with effect from 2017.
‘‘However, in order to capture all veterans hitherto excluded from the payment of the SDA, I have approved a review of the effective date of the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA) 2017.
‘‘Accordingly, I have also approved the sum of One Hundred and Thirty-Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Three Naira, Sixty-Nine Kobo (N134,749,953,243.69) only for that purpose,’’ he said.
President Buhari also expressed delight that the Defence Health Maintenance Limited is living up to expectation in providing healthcare services to the veterans, noting the expansion of the reach of its services through the establishment of Zonal and State offices.
He promised that government would continue to prioritise the provision of quality healthcare services to veterans and citizens at large.
The President also used the occasion to commend the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in confronting banditry, kidnappings, molestations and killing of innocent citizens head-on, saying that these ‘‘vices alien to our culture’’ are on the decline.
He also noted that normalcy is gradually returning to some affected parts of the country due to the methodical approach and increasing military campaign to decimate subversive elements involved in destructive activities such as ‘‘ in the insurgency in North East, militancy in the Niger Delta’’ as well as ethnic and religious tensions in some communities.
Buhari assured Nigerians that his hovernment will continue to reposition and strengthen all security agencies to enable them surmount the security challenges in the country.
He called on business enterprises to appreciate the sacrifice of servicemen and gallant troops by extending support to them in form of discounts and rebates on purchases and services rendered
The President saif this would act as a morale booster to members of the Armed Forces and assist them in carrying out their statutory responsibilities.
Buhari reiterated that he will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.
He expressed confidence that with the gallantry and sacrifices exhibited by men and women of the Armed Forces in the campaign against insurgency and other Internal Security Operations, the nation will be returned to normalcy as we continue to battle decisively, all the security challenges.
The President commended Governors who are Patrons of Veterans in their respective States for their support of the Nigerian Legion.
As the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, President Buhari urged government agencies at the Federal and State levels to continue to patronise the services of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires in the provision of security and other administrative services.
The potentials of ex-servicemen are enormous and can indeed be tapped for national development, he said, directing the Defence and Services Headquarters to continue to interface with the veterans in matters of security, intelligence and strategy. (vitalnewsngr.com)
