After protest, CDS assures military retirees of consequential pension rise

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured that military retirees will benefit from consequential increases in their pensions whenever the salaries and emoluments of serving personnel are adjusted.

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Oluyede gave the assurance in Yola, Adamawa State capital, during an interactive engagement with military veterans from the North-East zone.

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The assurance came a day after retired military personnel protested at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja despite heavy security deployment over the failure of the authorities to implement consequential pension adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving personnel.n

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The retirees had demanded corresponding increases in their pensions, particularly following the latest salary adjustment for military personnel announced in August and scheduled to take effect from September.

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The protest was later suspended after the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), assured the veterans that their demands would be addressed.

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A statement on Thursday by the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Samila Uba said the CDS noted that the ongoing salary review for serving personnel was all-inclusive, stressing that the implementation was already underway.

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He said, “In line with extant policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have a consequential increase to the pensions of veterans.”

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The CDS reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters to improving the welfare and dignity of retired military personnel and their families.

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He said the DHQ was also implementing several initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of veterans, including collaboration with the Bank of Industry to facilitate access to low-digit loans for business enterprises by serving and retired personnel and their families.

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Oluyede also disclosed that the ongoing construction of the Defence Hospital would reserve a percentage of its patronage for veterans.

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According to him, the initiatives had the backing of President Bola Tinubu, who had provided resources to support measures aimed at appreciating the sacrifices of serving and retired military personnel.

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The veterans also presented other welfare concerns during the engagement, which the CDS assured would continue to receive appropriate attention.

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Speaking on behalf of the veterans, the President, Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, Maj-Gen. H.A. Salihu (retd.) expressed appreciation to the CDS and urged retired personnel to support efforts by the military leadership to improve the welfare of serving and retired personnel.

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In his closing remarks, Oluyede paid tribute to the veterans for their sacrifices in defending the country.

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He said, “The uniform may have been taken off, but the nation’s gratitude will never fade.”

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