The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, to the welfare, dignity and continued relevance of Nigeria’s military veterans.
General Oluyede gave the assurance on Wednesday, when the National President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, RANFAOA, Major General Hussaini Abayomi Salihu, Rtd, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit provided an opportunity for the leadership of the association to formally engage the CDS, who is also the Chief Patron of the association, and to strengthen the relationship between the DHQ and the community of retired military officers.
Speaking during the visit, Major General Salihu said the delegation was at the Defence Headquarters principally to familiarise itself with the CDS following the inauguration of the new Executives and to foster closer engagement with the DHQ. He expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded the delegation and commended the CDS for his deliberate and sustained engagement with veterans across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The National President also appreciated the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for improving the welfare of members of the AFN, particularly the recent increase in salaries of serving personnel and the consequential adjustments for retired personnel.
Major General Salihu further presented a number of requests aimed at strengthening the welfare and socio-economic relevance of retired military personnel. Among them was the establishment of a comprehensive database of members of the association. He explained that such a database would facilitate access to qualified and experienced retired officers whenever companies and organisations require their expertise and services.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, GCON, thanked members of the association for their service and sacrifices to the nation, stressing that their contributions to Nigeria’s security and development remain deeply appreciated. He expressed his determination to discharge his responsibilities as Chief Patron of the association and assured the veterans of his commitment to working with them to address issues affecting their welfare within extant policy and institutional frameworks.
Addressing concerns regarding salary increments and their implications for veterans, the CDS assured the retired officers that the ongoing exercise is comprehensive and inclusive. He explained that implementation is already underway and reaffirmed that, in line with extant government policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have consequential implications for the pensions and benefits of veterans.
The CDS further highlighted several initiatives being undertaken by the Defence Headquarters to improve the quality of life of veterans and their families. One of such initiatives is the ongoing collaboration between the DHQ and the Bank of Industry, BOI, to facilitate access to low-interest loans for business enterprises. The initiative is designed to support serving and retired military personnel as well as their families in establishing and expanding sustainable businesses. He noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts by the DHQ to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance and improved welfare among military personnel and veterans.
The CDS assured the delegation that the DHQ would continue to explore practical measures and partnerships capable of improving the welfare of veterans, recognizing that those who served the nation deserve sustained institutional support and dignity in retirement.
Chief Of Defence Staff Reaffirms Commitment To Veterans’ Welfare
