The Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA 35 Regular Course in Abuja, on Saturday, called for improved welfare for retired personnel of the various security agencies.
The NDA alumni also demanded for the review of the Armed Forces Pension Act to meet the reality of today.
Air Cdre Emmanuel Golit (retd.), a former president of the association, spoke in an address during the 40th anniversary of the course.
According to him, abandonment of retirees from security agencies could pose a danger to the country in view of the skills they had acquired while in service.
The NDA alumni chief noted that if left to go hungry, the retirees could become a willing tool in the hands of criminal elements.
“The military, anywhere is the foundation of the nation-states. If there’s no security in any country, nothing thrives. There will be no industry, no parliament, nothing will work.
“Now, having served your country diligently up to the point of retirement, it is incumbent on the government to see to the welfare of members of the security agencies, particularly because they have skills that can be borrowed, that can be paid for by insurgents.
“So for such a group, you need to debar them, security-wise, from selling their skills either to bandits, terrorists or other non-state actors because if we leave this group hungry or you don’t care for them, a lot of strange things can happen.
“The government from time to time should review the welfare conditions of members of the armed forces and other security agencies. For instance, the Nigerian Armed Forces Act has been there for so long, since the 70s. There has been no deliberate effort to review this document to see how we can add new things that can assist retired members of the armed forces.”
Golit noted that in many countries worldwide, retirees are often involved in various forms of government services after their retirement.
The ex- NDA alumni stressed that “In other climes, you don’t stay in the armed forces for up to 10 years or you’re retired and you are abandoned. They must look for somewhere to fix you so that you can continue to help your country. That way, it is beneficial to the government, it is beneficial to the citizens, and that way our country will remain safe.”
Air Cdre Danladi Bausa (retd.) elected president of the NDA alumni association, expressed appreciation to the Chief Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru for steps taken so far to improve the welfare of retirees.
Bausa said, “They have done quite a lot to improve the veterans’ welfare. They have been carrying veterans along since they came into office.”
It will be recalled that the Coalition for Concerned Veterans and the Civil War veterans, among others, at various times demanded for an improved welfare and payment of their pensions and gratuities.
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