The Peoples Democratic Party and a former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar have demanded more attention to the welfare of soldiers and their families in Nigeria.
They made this statement separately in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
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The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, in a statement issued on Saturday, also demanded that the government took steps to provide the military with adequate equipment as well as improve the welfare of the troops to ensure effectiveness in their duty to the nation.
The party hailed members of the Nigerian Armed forces for their courage, loyalty, sacrifice and resilience in defending the nation, particularly in the face of resurged insecurity in the last six years.
“The PDP acknowledges the bravery and patriotism of our gallant soldiers in the frontlines, who despite the daunting challenges, daily put their lives on the line, with many paying the supreme price for the unity and security of our country.
“The Remembrance Day presents the government the occasion for sober reflection to get more committed towards internal security and the fight against terrorism in our country, particularly in limiting the extent of avoidable danger which our military is exposed to daily,” he also said.
Similarly, former Vice President Abubakar has said Nigeria’s military veterans can’t be repaid for their supreme sacrifices, but their welfare should be treated as a priority by any government.
Atiku, in his solidarity message on the occasion of Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, said laying down one’s life in the defence of the country and fellow citizens was the highest sacrifice for the sake of patriotism.
According to him, “Soldiers lose life and limbs in the course of serving their country”, adding that “Nigeria owes them a debt of eternal gratitude for their immeasurable sacrifices.”
The former Vice President advised the people in government to always give priority to the payment of the pensions and other entitlements of our military veterans as at when due.
He said, “It is embarrassing why our veterans should be allowed to be sleeping in the open to protest the non-payment of their pensions.”
Atiku further advised the government to streamline the payment system of our veterans to avoid the humiliation of recourse to protest the non-payment of their entitlements.
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