On Saturday night, the Ministry of Defense, via its Social Safety NET Steering Committee, announced that veterans could now register for palliative care in an effort to lessen the pain caused by the federal government’s suspension of gasoline subsidies.
The proposal was announced by Mohammed Abubakar, the Minister of Defense, who was accompanied by Jude Alozie, a Director of Joint Service Forces, to mitigate the impact of the termination of the gasoline subsidy.
Alozie declared, “Our veterans deserve the best they can get.”
He assured that this is the first time the gesture has occurred and that it will stay that way.
Speaking on behalf of Commander 15 Brigade Ohafia, Caius Baushe, Christopher Musa called the program an economic one and asked all veterans to ensure they are included because it is available to everyone.
The main goal of the palliatives, according to Abdumalik Jibril, National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, was to alleviate the negative effects of the contentious Fuel Subsidy and the ensuing social and economic hardship on veterans, widows, orphans, and dependents of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and caregivers.
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“In keeping with his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria and Nigerians, and in response to the inevitable decision to remove the controversial Fuel Subsidy and its attendant economic and social hardship on the citizens, President Bola Tinubu, the Excellency of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, decided to provide palliatives to 15 million households to alleviate their sufferings,” the statement read.
As a result, HE the President gave the HNOHA and PA instructions to extend their humanitarian act to veterans who are covered by the Nigeria Legion.
This is the first such gesture made by any government in the recent past.
“The Ministry of Defence Steering Committee on Social Safety NET decided to open enrollment to veterans, widows, orphans, and dependents of our fallen heroes and caregivers in partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and in cooperation with the Abia State Government.”
Without a question, the decision to launch the crucial initiative is a step in the right path.
“We are here this evening to show our support for our caregivers, widows, and orphans of our fallen heroes. We also want to thank the state government for working with us to make the event a huge success.”
“On October 25, 2023, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will declare the date of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day for 2024.
“May I therefore take this opportunity to continue to extend the cooperation and support of the good people of Abia State through HE Gov. Alex Otti to continue recognizing the immeasurable sacrifices made and being made by your sons and daughters for the unity of this country by continuing to support your sons and daughters as veterans living in and continuing to contribute to the state’s systematic development, in addition to generously contributing to the Emblem Appeal Launch.”
Ambrose Nnabugwu, the Nigerian Legion’s chairman for Abia State, had earlier stated that the enrollment was intended to lessen the pain brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies.
“We in Abia appreciated Tinubu, and the Honorable Minister who ensured that veterans have a special package,” Nnabugwu said. “By this, have written their names in the sands of time,” the National Chairman of the Nigeria Legion added.
He expressed his gratitude to the federal government for selecting the state to kick off the initiative.
He also expressed gratitude to Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, for putting policies in place that ensure Abia is a safe environment for people to live.
