Army chief promises sustained welfare initiative for officers

File photo: Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, on Friday assured veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces of sustained welfare initiatives aimed at making their lives more comfortable after service, calling for their greater participation in the national security architecture.

He made this known during an interactive session with veterans from the South-West region at the Headquarters of the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Oluyede said, “Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by the nation. The Federal Government remains committed to improving the welfare of veterans in appreciation of their sacrifices.”

“The recent increment in salaries of serving personnel and the consequential adjustment of veterans’ pensions is a demonstration of the Federal Government’s gratitude to the Armed Forces for your service to the nation. I want to assure you all, our veterans, of the Nigerian Armed Forces, of sustained welfare initiatives aimed at making your lives more comfortable after service.”

The CDS added that issues arising from the consequential adjustment of pensions were being addressed, outlining several initiatives being pursued by the Defence Headquarters to improve the welfare of serving personnel and veterans.

“Among these is my determination to dedicate at least one hospital in each geopolitical zone specifically to cater for the medical needs of veterans, in addition to existing healthcare arrangements.”

He informed the veterans that data collation was ongoing and that necessary processes were at advanced stages toward actualisation.

Oluyede also disclosed ongoing efforts to establish a low-interest loan scheme for veterans to enable them to engage in productive ventures and businesses after service.

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The CDS noted that the recently launched Defence Headquarters Online Shop was in collaboration with Konga, adding that efforts were ongoing to expand the scheme and bring more major businesses on board to offer discounted goods and services to personnel and veterans.

He called on veterans to continue to contribute their quota to peace and security in their respective communities and to sustain prayers for serving personnel as they strive to keep the nation peaceful and secure.

During the interactive session, veterans raised pressing concerns and sought clarifications on issues affecting them, which were promptly addressed by the CDS.

On hand to provide further clarifications were the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim; the Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal NI Iloh; and the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Major General JE Osifoh.

Issues bordering on veterans’ entitlements, welfare programmes and other administrative matters were extensively discussed.

In his remarks, the President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association, Major General HA Salihu (retd), thanked the CDS for the engagement and urged veterans to continue to embrace dialogue in resolving issues of concern.