CDS Reaffirms Commitment To Veterans Welfare

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed commitment to veterans welfare in honour of their service to the nation.

He made the commitment at a one – day strategic retreat with the leadership of various Military Veterans’ Associations at the Army Headquarters Command Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.

A statement by the Director Defence Information Major General Samaila Uba, said the retreat hosted by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association of Nigeria (RANAO), provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration and renewed commitment to the welfare of retired personnel who dedicated their lives to the defence of Nigeria.

He assured them that the Defence Headquarters would continue to pursue improved healthcare, timely pension payments and better welfare packages for retired personnel.

The CDS represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters to sustaining open dialogue with military veterans, stressing that engagement remains the most effective approach to resolving concerns affecting retired personnel.

General Oluyede noted that under his leadership, veterans’ welfare remains one of the top priorities of Defence Headquarters’ and assured participants that efforts are ongoing to ensure the implementation of the recently approved salary increase and corresponding pension adjustments through the appropriate statutory processes.

The CDS further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and urged veterans to remain patient and continue to uphold the values of discipline, loyalty and patriotism for which the Nigerian military is renowned.

The retreat underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation among veterans’ organisations while encouraging retired personnel to remain active partners in nation-building by mentoring younger generations and supporting initiatives that promote national unity and security.