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 the state of Ekiti, issued a statement Wednesday that said in part: “The situation of our men is very terrible, some are sick and cannot even afford to feed themselves. Some cannot afford a meal per day, and some with health challenges don’t have money to maintain their health challenges such as blindness and stroke. Others are homeless.”
Alhaji Oseni noted: “On November 17th 2022, a sum of N134.7 billion was approved by President Buhari’s administration to pay the pensions of military veterans who fought in the Nigerian Civil War to take care of themselves and their families.
“However, since the money was approved by President Buhari, the money is yet to be paid to us.”
The veterans are pleading with Nigerian politicians, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the governors of the states, and President Buhari—whom they thank for the approval—to have pity on them and see that their monthly pension arrears are paid without delay.
“We humbly appeal to our President and those in charge to pay the veterans and put a smile on our face as we commemorate the 2023 armed forces remembrance day this year,” they urged.
