Brigadier-General Funsho Oyeniyi (rtd), has commended President Bola Tinubu for his support to military veterans by increasing the pension of the Armed Forces and paying all pension arrears and other entitlements owed.
Oyeniyi gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.
He, however, called for more support in other areas to further alleviate the plight of military veterans who were living in penury.
”I thank the President for paying the pension arrears and other entitlements of military personnel which had gone a long way at alleviating our plight.
“In the past, it wasn’t like that. When a veteran retires he doesn’t collect his retirement benefits in full but thank God for our President, all our entitlements have been paid.
“There is even promise to increase our entitlement because of the rate of inflation in the country,” he said.
Oyeniyi said that the rate of inflation had drastically reduced the purchasing power of the money which could only afford little sustenance with the current reality of things.
“The pensioners of yesteryears should be paid in reality of the current rate so that they don’t live in penury.
“Government should look at the rate of inflation and be realistic in whatever they are giving.
“Any amount below the rate of inflation will not amount to anything upon recieving it.
“You cannot expect a veteran that retired 40 years ago to still be collecting the same amount of money at the present time,” he said.
He said that military veterans in one way or the other, assisted in keeping Nigeria together and in maintaining the peace, therefore, are entitled to compensation now that they are old.
“What obtains in most developing countries is that before a veteran retires, there is accommodation for them that will keep them afloat and help them flow with the economy.
“The Nigeria situation is such that we are not properly taken care of.
“However, things are getting better and under this present government, I believe will be improved upon,” Oyeniyi said.
