President Muhammadu Buhari, this week, in Abuja, approved N134.7 billion for the payment of Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to the veterans of the armed forces. The president said that his approval of the payment of SDA to the veterans takes effect in 2017.
The President, also, announced the donation of N10 million to the Nigerian Legion, on behalf of the federal government, at the launch of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal fund.
The President pledged the federal government’s commitment, henceforth, to the welfare of veterans by ensuring prompt payment of their pension and other entitlements.
‘‘However, in order to capture all veterans hitherto excluded from the payment of the SDA, I have approved a review of the effective date of the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA) 2017,” he said.
‘‘Accordingly, I have also approved the sum of N134,749,953,243.69 only for that purpose.’’
Interestingly, the President expressed delight that Defence Health Maintenance Limited is living up to its expectations in providing healthcare services to the veterans and also commended the expansion of the programme through the establishment of zonal and state offices.
Interestingly, too, the President has promised that government will continue to prioritise the provision of quality healthcare services to veterans and citizens at large. Of course, this is a good promise coming from the President for it seems that, finally, good things will start to go the way of the clearly neglected veterans.
But, first, who are the veterans? Here, the veterans are persons who have served creditably in, and retired from, the military. Veterans are the backbone of this country. Without them, there would be no united Nigeria, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, without their services, there will be no way to ensure that the country will continue to be the land of unity and progress that it has been known to be.
Veterans have protected the rights of Nigerians and made the dreams of the country’s forefathers possible. War, although horrid, is inevitable within humanity and the future veterans will be there to protect the blessed Nigerian land and values.
Throughout history, Nigerian veterans have put their lives on hold and at risk to protect their country. When a war starts, many are afraid. The veterans were afraid as well, but they answered the call of duty and rose up to fight for the nation.
Many had to endure hunger, loss, pain and desperation but, still, they fought with a purpose, willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. Though some are now old and frail, suffering from PTSD, or just trying to fit back into society, we acknowledge their service and display our gratitude as much as possible.
Why should we acknowledge their services? The answer is simple: the veterans are the history, the real-life heroes and models for the nation.
They have shaped the policy on foreign affairs and have made Nigeria an advocate for democracy and justice throughout the West Africa sub-region. Not only do the veterans protect the rights and freedoms of Nigerians, but they also provide services and aid to those in need.
In many instances, Nigeria is the first on the scene providing medical aid, food and security at a level no other country in Africa can come close to during disasters both at home and abroad.
Today, the military is more heavily engaged in humanitarian operations than ever before. In recent years, the Nigerian military has helped restore peace in Liberia and Sudan, rescued flood victims and delivered medical teams to hundreds of assist victims of major and minor disasters.
The caring and selfless spirit of the past veterans continue to live on in the hearts of those currently serving. In fact, it is in this light that the gesture of the President of approving the sum of N134,749,953,243.69 for the welfare of the veterans can best be appreciated.
Thankfully, the President, also, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in confronting banditry, kidnappings, molestations and killing of innocent citizens head-on.
And when the President said those illegal actions being perpetrated by some law perverts as ‘‘vices alien to our culture,’’ he needed not to say anymore to show his disdain for the perpetration of some illegal activities that threaten the lives of the nation’s veterans and serving military personnel.
Helpfully, the President said that normalcy is, gradually, returning to some troubled parts of the country due to the methodical approach and increasing military campaign to decimate subversive elements involved in destructive activities such as the insurgency in the northeast and the Niger Delta.
Thus, as Nigerians, we must all join the President to say, thank you, veterans, past, present and future for your service. You will never be forgotten and we, as citizens, will forever be indebted to you. Just as you have shaped the history of the country and its people, you will shape the future. Continue to be the few, the strong and the brave.
Unveiling the new State House facilities
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, commissioned four new projects at the State House Clinic, Abuja.
The commissioned projects include a biosafety Level 2 Molecular Laboratory, certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a medium-capacity incinerator donated by the Ecological Project Office, the Dental Wing Extension Building and a block of two-bedroom flats at the Staff Quarters of the Clinic.
The SGF said the projects are among the front-burner initiatives of the Buhari-led administration aimed at providing excellent healthcare services to Nigerians.
He said the projects will, collectively, help to build a State House Clinic that is people-centred and technology-driven, delivering services and motivating the workforce towards addressing some of the healthcare service delivery challenges.
He commended the Permanent Secretary of State House, Tijjani Umar, for the completion and commissioning of the projects and his tireless effort to raise service delivery standards, not only in the State House Clinic, in particular, but in the State House, in general.
While praising the Permanent Secretary for what he referred to as “his tireless effort to raise service delivery standards,” the SGF also commended him for his accountability and responsibility in handling public resources.
As the SGF pointed out, accountability is the ability to be accountable and responsible for an outcome, while responsibility is about the ability to perform and complete a given task, both of which were handled successfully by the Permanent Secretary.
An activity may have several managers performing it but, ideally, one person is responsible for the outcome of the work performed. The concept of accountability thus consists of what needs to be delivered, how long it will take and how much it will cost to provide a quality result.
Accountability is the obligation for an individual or organisation to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them and disclose the results in a transparent manner, as the Permanent Secretary has done with regard to the commissioned projects.
Yet while the concept of accountability is clear and straightforward, this is not as easy to achieve as it might seem, especially in our country where public officials are not for their disdain and disregard for public accountability processes and love for selfish and personal enrichment.
That disdainful corrupt situation must not be allowed to continue. Agreed no country is immune to corruption. However, it should be noted that the abuse of public office for private gain erodes people’s trust in government and institutions, makes public policies less effective and fair and siphons taxpayers’ money away from schools, roads and hospitals.
While the wasted money is important, the cost is about much more. Corruption corrodes the government’s ability to help grow the economy in a way that benefits all citizens.
Corruption, also, in the case of Nigeria, prevents people from benefiting, fully, from the wealth created by their country’s natural resources. No doubt, in Nigeria, because the exploration of oil or mining generates huge profits, it creates strong incentives for corruption.
Corruption, above all, distorts government priorities. For example, it has been established that among low-income countries, the share of the budget dedicated to education and health is one-third lower in more corrupt countries, including Nigeria.
Precisely, that is why Umar, in particular, should be praised by all stakeholders, as did the SGF, for ensuring wise and prudent utilisation of funds and delivering transparent results.
