DHQ Prioritises Welfare Of Personnel–Gen Uba

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed commitment to the welfare of its personnel in line with the command philosophy of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Olufemi Oluyede which is anchored on leadership, sound administration, professionalism, discipline, innovation, and accountability.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, stated this while explaining the reason behind the delayed payment of allowances to Nigerian troops deployed on international operations in Sudan, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau despite completing their missions and returning home.

According to him, the Defence Headquarters places a very high premium on the welfare of personnel.

He gave the explanation while responding to online reports not LEADERSHIP alleging that some Nigerian soldiers who recently returned from foreign peacekeeping missions had yet to receive their full allowances.

He said the payments to the personnel are made after funds are received from the organisations leading the respective missions.

Uba confirmed that Nigerian troops are participating in operations in the three countries, explaining that the Sudan mission is United Nations-led, while the operations in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He said, “Nigerian troops truly participate in operations in Sudan, Guinea Bissau and Gambia. While the operation in Sudan is a United Nations-led operation, the operations in Gambia and Guinea Bissau are ECOWAS-led operations.”

He explained further that troops are continuously inducted into and withdrawn from the missions, while the United Nations and ECOWAS are responsible for paying operational allowances to personnel participating in their respective operations.

“Funding for the payment of these allowances is the exclusive responsibility of the two international organisations and not Nigeria as a nation,” he said.

He narrated that personnel receive their allowances once the relevant funds are received from the UN or ECOWAS.

“Allowances due personnel are paid to them promptly on receipt from the UN and ECOWAS as applicable,” Uba said.

He further disclosed that funds for the Sudan operation had been received and the affected troops were paid the previous week.

“With regards to your inquiry, funds for Sudan have been received and troops paid last week. Those who came back from Gambia and Guinea Bissau will be paid on receipt of funds from ECOWAS. The DHQ is making efforts to ensure funds are released to us for immediate payment,” he said.

Uba also stressed that the welfare of military personnel remains a priority for the Defence Headquarters, noting that allowances received from international organisations are separate from the salaries and other allowances ordinarily paid to members of the Armed Forces.

“The Defence Headquarters places a very high premium on the welfare of personnel. The allowances from the UN and ECOWAS are paid in addition to the normal salaries and allowances Armed Forces personnel are entitled to,” he said.

The online medium had reported an appeal made by some soldiers to the federal government and relevant military authorities over an alleged delays in the payment of outstanding allowances owed to them after their recent return from international peacekeeping missions.

The group had warned that it would make the matter public if the alleged payment delays were not addressed.

However , contrary to their claims, Defence Headquarters gave a detailed payment procedure stating that the allowances are funded by the UN and ECOWAS and that payment to Nigerian personnel follows receipt of the funds from the respective organisations.

The DHQ’s response also indicates that troops who participated in the Sudan operation have now received their outstanding payments, while personnel who returned from missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are awaiting the release of funds from ECOWAS.

The Defence Headquarters said it was working to ensure that the funds are released for immediate payment to the affected personnel.

“Nigerian troops truly participate in operations in Sudan, Guinea Bissau and Gambia. While the operation in Sudan is a United Nations-led operation, the operations in Gambia and Guinea Bissau are ECOWAS-led operations. Troops are inducted into and de-inducted from these operations continuously.

“The UN and ECOWAS pay operations allowances to troops that participate in the operations. Funding for the payment of these allowance is the exclusive responsibility of the 2 international organisations and not Nigeria as a nation. Allowances due personnel are paid to them promptly on receipt from the UN and ECOWAS as applicable. With regards to your inquiry, funds for Sudan have been received and troops paid last week.

“Those who came back from Gambia and Guinea Bissau will be paid on receipt of funds from ECOWAS. The DHQ is making efforts to ensure funds are released to us for immediate payment.

“The Defence Headquarters places a very high premium on the welfare of personnel. The allowances from the UN and ECOWAS are paid in addition to the normal salaries and allowances Armed Forces personnel are entitled too,” it stated.