President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved N18bn as Group Life Assurance benefits and other entitlements for families of fallen service men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“I have approved the sum of N18bn for the payment of the Group Life Assurance benefits and other entitlements to the families of service members who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Tinubu announced at the launch of the Emblem Appeal for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
The President said this was in appreciation of the sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces and to underscore the government’s commitment to their welfare.
He affirmed his administration’s continuing support to the armed forces by repositioning the institutions for better service saying, “We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant troops, who have risen to the challenge of securing this great nation.”
He noted that men and women of the armed forces had sacrificed so much to preserve the nation’s unity.
“It has therefore fallen on us as a people to honour the memory of the valiant officers, men and women who had paid the supreme sacrifice and to provide a decent and humane standard of care for all who have served our dear nation.
“The 15th day of January is symbolic because it marks the end of the Nigerian Civil War. The occasion gives us cause for reflection and reminds us of the price that has been paid for the continued unity of this country,” Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, reiterated the administration’s efforts to restore peace, order and security to the country and the successes achieved.
However, Badaru lamented the loss of many members of the armed forces and the injuries the survivors sustained in defending the homeland.
On their part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; and the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril (retd.), expressed delight in the gesture towards the veterans and the fallen heroes, saying it would boost the morale of the serving members of the armed forces.
The high point of the event was the donation of N160m towards the launch of the emblem.
While the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced the sum of N40m on behalf of the Federal Executive Council, which was later raised to N50m by the President, the Speaker announced N60m on behalf of the National Assembly.
The Chief of Defence Staff announced another N50m on behalf of the armed forces.
Present at the event were members of the Federal Executive Council and other senior government officials.