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Presidency Gives Defence Ministry Marching Order On Ways To Raise Living Standards Of Veteran Soldiers

Nigerian armyThe Nigerian Presidency has ordered the ministry of Defence to come up with programme that would be implemented for the benefit and enhancement of the living standards of the veteran soldiers.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the fund raising and launching of emblem in this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day said that the Federal Government would continue to show commitment to
addressing the challenges facing the Veterans.
“To this end, we have recently implemented the recommendation to harmonize their pensions. We are also happy to note that the Military Pensions Scheme is running efficiently even as verification exercise for ex-service men and women was successfully conducted recently.
“The Ministry of Defence has been charged to come up with programmes that would enhance the living standards of the veterans. I appreciate the efforts of the State Governors who are Patrons of the Legion in their respective States for promoting the Legion.”
The President appealed to well meaning Nigerians to continue to lend their support and give concessions to the Veterans and the families of the departed.
He described the Remembrance Days as a worthy tradition of acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans in the First and Second World Wars, Peace-keeping Operations around the world, and internal security operations, particularly the ongoing campaign against terrorism at home.
“It is indeed, fitting and worthwhile, even noble to honour our distinguished veterans some of who paid the highest price and many others who devoted  significant parts of their lives to the service of our country and the world at large.
“Indeed, when we sing that portion of our National Anthem  “the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain” as we just did moments ago, it is to this exceptional Nigerians that we refer, reminding ourselves regularly of their humbling contributions to the maintenance of peace and security at home and many times abroad.
“Since independence 56 years ago, our nation has witnessed a number of internal strifes, survived a civil war but has remained united.  Our people have through all consistently shown a  desire to remain as one people, and this itself honours the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, heroines, and veterans who rose up and continue to rise up to confront the security challenges of the day.
“We are here today to demonstrate  our  appreciation for their service, and to value their devotion and honour their memory.
“This is why the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is observed annually on 15th of January to commemorate the selfless service of our gallant troops.
“The theme of this year’s celebration: “Appreciating the Resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces” is therefore very apt. It speaks to the perseverance, and dedication of our serving and departed men in uniform. Those great attributes are particularly on display in these trying times in our national life as our men make the valiant efforts to bring down the insurgents. Let it be said over and again, that as an administration we would continue to honour our military forces in their arduous ongoing fight against terrorists, do all we can to remember their sacrifice and appreciate their families who bear the brunt in differing levels of pain and loss.
“As a nation we are grateful to our loyal and gallant troops for ensuring that  terrorism and hate do not prevail in our land and and doing so with such commitment.
“To their families we owe an even greater debt of gratitude and a permanent duty  and promise that we
will not forget.”
Buhari salute the courage and sacrifices of men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces in grappling with militancy, oil theft and piracy in some parts of the country.
He acknowledged that they have displayed unalloyed loyalty and commitment to Nigeria, saying that when the situation and conditions under which they died or suffered physical incapacitation is considerd, “those of us who are beneficiaries of their sacrifice carry a compelling moral duty to do our level best to contribute towards the welfare and sustenance of their families, and dependents. Beyond our words of gratitude that honor their memories and service, our modest material comfort can go a long way to ameliorate their pain and loss.”[myad]

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