Minister calls for more engagements to improve Military Veterans’ Welfare

The need for more engagements between the Ministry of Defence and the Military Veterans’ Ministerial Welfare Committee has been emphasized as crucial to taking care of their needs.

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru made the call when he received a report on the Military Veterans’ ministerial Welfare Committee from the Veterans’ at the Headquarters Ministry of Defence, Abuja.

In a statement by the Director Press, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, Badaru said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates the Military for laying their lives for peace and security of Nigeria, while pointing out that nothing would be too much to support them.

“We are passionate about the welfare of the Veterans’. We will work with you to overcome the problems. We will look at the document for further engagements and seek for further ideas. I assure you that we will follow it religiously. Let us keep engaging for the better welfare of the Veterans’,” he said.

Speaking on the way forward, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said there was no more intervention budget and since the 2024 budget has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval, they needed to engage with National Assembly for a way out.

“Mr. President wants everything to be budgeted for. I advise you to liase with the National Assembly so that something can be done,” he advised the Committee.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Military Veterans’ Ministerial  Welfare Committee, Air Commodore Olufemi Oguntunyi (Rtd.) appreciated the Minister for authorizing the formation of the Committee.
He further stated that the Minister is very passionate about the issue of veterans’ welfare and for giving a listening ear to their report.

“This is the first time we are asked to submit our challenges in a report form, have done that and we have put it in executive summary, with that, all these agitations will not come up again,” he assured the Minister.