A retired Nigerian general has publicly commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent efforts in supporting military veterans. This comes after years of what many veterans felt was neglect, with promises of increased pensions and payments of long-overdue arrears. But is this enough to truly compensate those who’ve served?
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s covered in this article:
- A General’s Gratitude: How a retired general is praising President Tinubu.
- Pension Payouts: What the government is doing to clear long overdue payments to veterans.
- The Inflation Problem: Why the cost of living is still a major issue for pensioners.
- Beyond the Money: What else our veterans need to live comfortably.
A Pat on the Back for Tinubu
Brigadier-General Funsho Oyeniyi (rtd), recently gave kudos to President Tinubu, acknowledging the steps taken to improve the financial well-being of military veterans. He specifically mentioned the increase in armed forces pensions and the payment of all pending pension arrears and other entitlements. It’s a big deal – for years, many veterans felt ignored, their service seemingly forgotten after they hung up their uniforms.
Catching Up on Back Payments
Oyeniyi explained that it wasn’t always smooth sailing for veterans. In the past, retirement benefits were often not paid out in full. However, under the current administration, things have changed for the better. All entitlements, thankfully, have been paid, and there is even talk of further increases to help match the current cost of living. This is huge news for veterans who rely heavily on these payments for their survival.
The Inflation Elephant in the Room
Despite the good news on pension payouts, Oyeniyi pointed out that the elephant in the room is inflation. The current rate of inflation has significantly reduced the purchasing power of money, meaning that while the payments may look good on paper, they may not be enough to cover the basic cost of living. He emphasized the need for the government to review the pension amounts and adjust them to match the real-time rate of inflation. This is a crucial point to ensure veterans aren’t living in poverty despite receiving their entitlements.
More Than Just Money
The general also highlighted that in many developing nations, there are measures in place to ensure that veterans are properly cared for. This includes provisions for accommodation before they retire, something that is not always the case in Nigeria. While things seem to be improving, there is still much work to be done to ensure veterans are not just surviving but actually living comfortable lives. The general concluded by stating that they hope the current government will keep improving the conditions of military veterans, and they will be taken care of accordingly.
What’s Next?
The recent actions by President Tinubu mark a step in the right direction for veterans in Nigeria. But the key question remains: Is it enough? Are there more steps that need to be taken? Only time will tell.
The conversation surrounding veteran care is critical. They protected the nation, and now, it’s our turn to make sure they are protected. Stay tuned for more on this important issue.
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