Federal Government Saturday evening, flagged off enrollment of veterans for palliative to reduce the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.
This was done through the Steering Committee on Social Safety NET, of the Ministry of Defence.
Speaking on the occasion held in Umuahia, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who was represented by his Director in Joint Service Forces, Dr. Jude C. Alozie, said the veterans “deserve the best they can get”, hence the desire of the Ministry of Defence to put smiles on the faces of the veterans.
He noted that this is the first time the gesture is happening, assuring that it will continue like that.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was represented by Brig. Gen Caius Akan Baushe of Ohafia Brigade described the program as an economic one and urged all veterans to make themselves available to be captured.
In his speech, the National Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Major General Abdumalik Jibril, the essence of the palliatives was to remove the effect of the controversial Fuel Subsidy and its attendant economic and social hardship on veterans, widows, orphans and dependants of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and caregivers, adding, “This gesture is the first of its kind under any government in recent times.
According to him, “His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria and Nigerians, and sequel to the inevitable decision to remove the controversial Fuel Subsidy and its attendant economic and social hardship on the citizens, decided to provide palliatives to 15 million households to alleviate their sufferings.
“Consequently, the President directed the HNOHA and PA to extend their humanitarian gesture to members of the veterans community under the umbrella of the Nigeria Legion.
“The Ministry of Defence Steering Committee on Social Safety NET in collaboration with Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and partnership with Abia State Government chose to flag off the enrollment of veterans, widows, orphans and dependants of our fallen heroes and caregivers.
“The choice to flag off the all-important program is no doubt, a decision in the right direction. We are here this evening to identify with our veterans, widows, orphans of our fallen heroes, caregivers as well as thank the state government in collaboration with us to make the event a great success.
“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day for 2024 will be launched by HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu non the 25th of October, 2023 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“May I therefore seize this opportunity to continue to extend the support and cooperation of the good people of Abia State through HE Gov. Alex Otti to continue appreciating the unquantifiable sacrifices made and still making by your sons and daughters for the unity of this country by only not donating generously during the Emblem Appeal Launch but continue to support your sons and daughters as veterans residing and still contributing to the systematic development of the state”.
In his opening remarks, the Abia State chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Commander Ambrose Nnabugwu said the enrollment was aimed at mitigating the suffering occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.
According to him, “We in Abia appreciates President Tinubu, and the Honourable Minister who ensured that veterans have special package, the National chairman of Nigeria Legion for his input”, stating, “by this, they have written their names in the sands of time”.
While thanking the federal government for the choice of Abia State for the flag off of the program, he also thanked Gov. Alex Otti for having started putting things in place to make Abia safe and inhabitable by the people.
The registration is ongoing.
