...warns of clandestine groups

By Gabriel Ewepu

VETERANS who served under the Nigerian Armed Forces under the auspices of the Veterans Care Forum has demanded persons from the veterans’ community should handle pensions, welfare and other benefits.

The demand was made on the heels a non-military group allegedly interfering with what has to do with the Military Pensions Board, which they strongly condemned the move, which they also questioned the professional competence of the group in military pension administration, stressing that the MPB is a technical body designed to serve retired military personnel.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by Mamman Danjuma on behalf of the Veterans Care Forum, clarified that the veterans maintained that their advocacy is not based on personal interests but to ensure the principles of representation and institutional structure is respected and upheld.

Danjuma said the administration of veterans’ affairs across the armed services and the Ministry of Defence should be strictly run by qualified individuals from the veterans’ community, saying, “Only those who have served truly understand the realities of retirement, including delayed entitlements, healthcare challenges, and post-service welfare gaps.”

Meanwhile, according to him, in other climes including the United States, United Kingdom, Pakistan, South Africa, India, and Canada depend on their retired military personnel to manage veterans’ affairs, and further pointed out that if this is obtained in other countries, Nigeria needs to look inwards to use experienced retired military officers to address the needs of ex-service members.

The statement also made it clear that there is no confrontation in their demands, rather it is based on foresight that would also help those currently in service when they have retired to join the veterans community.

They also called on President Bola Tinubu to give more attention to welfare of retired military personnel by ensuring the right leadership is appointed to manage the affairs of the Military Pensions Board.

Also as part of their call was responsible and informed public discourse, which they stressed on the welfare of personnel who had sacrificially served the nation should be on top of the priorities in terms of welfare, and guided by dignity, experience in accordance with globally accepted best practices.