Veterans of the military in the state of Ekiti have pleaded with President Buhari to protect them from hunger and poverty.
The veterans, some of whom fought in the Nigerian Civil War, said that they are still owed their monthly pension.
Alhaji Bello Oseni, the association’s secretary for Ekiti State, declared in a statement released yesterday that “the position of our men is quite dreadful; some are sick and cannot even afford to feed themselves.” Some people struggle to afford even one meal a day, and others with chronic illnesses like blindness and stroke lack the funds to care for themselves. Some people are homeless.
Alhaji Oseni stated: “On November 17, 2022, the President Buhari administration approved an amount of N134.7 billion to pay the pensions of military veterans who fought in the Nigerian Civil War to take care of themselves and their families.
The money hasn’t yet been paid to us, despite President Buhari’s approval of it.
The veterans are pleading with Nigerian politicians, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the governors of the states, and President Buhariâwhom they thank for the approvalâto have pity on them and see that their monthly pension arrears are paid without delay.
As we observe 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day this year, they pleaded, “We respectfully appeal to our President and those in command to compensate the veterans and put a smile on our face.”
