We believe in one Nigeria forever - Biafran war veterans
- Some Biafran war veterans have denounced Biafra and pledged their loyalty to Nigeria forever
- The veterans pension entitlements were recently approved by the federal government
- The war veterans have had presidential pardon since May 29, 2000, but many of them remained unpaid for years
The war-affected police officers from the old Eastern Region have declared that they believe in one Nigeria and that the war is over and over forever.
The veterans stated this after approval for the payment of their pension entitlements by the federal government.
Legit.ng gathered that they had been pardoned and retired from the Nigeria Police Force through a presidential amnesty granted on May 29, 2000, by the administration of the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and their payment approved.
However, many years down the line, many of them remained unpaid.
READ ALSO: Our reforms will ease pensioners' hardships – President Buhari
Speaking to Vanguard, the president of the Association of Retired War Affected Police Officers (ARWAPO), Chief Matthew Udeh, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his forthrightness and believing in one Nigeria.
His words: “We believe we are all one, one Nigeria forever. The war is over and over forever. God will continue to bless President Muhammadu Buhari for looking at the nation as one indivisible entity.
“I feel fulfilled today. The whole ARWAPO members are full of gratitude to Mr President for hearing our cry for over 40 years and running.’’
On his part, the president, Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Fidelis Oyakhilome, thanked the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the federal government for living up to their words and treating the officers fairly.
His words: “I must commend ARWAPO members for their patience, endurance and perseverance all these years and as well thank Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari, for making this possible.’’
A beneficiary, Francis Ukaraoha, said that he was happy to have received his first pension. Ukaraoha, who was elated, showed the amount (figure withheld) of pension arrears paid to his account to journalists.
At the launch of the pension payments to retired war-affected police officers in Enugu state, the executive secretary of PTAD, Sharon Ikeazor, said the federal government would end all the painful legacies of the war.
Her words: “This represents another decision by the current federal government to bring closure to the painful legacies of the civil war, and indeed a clear demonstrate that President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a father to all Nigerians.
“His (Mr President) administration’s reforms under the PTAD will ensure that Nigerians who spent the productive years of their lives serving their nation will not experience difficulties in getting their pensions.’’
She stated that the pension payment for the veterans, marks another milestone in re-integrating the hitherto neglected officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force who have suffered untold hardships over the years catering for their needs and that of their dependents.
“In this particular batch of payment, 162 officers who have never been on the payroll and 57 Next of Kin who have also not been paid their death benefits will be paid today.
“The others, 155 who are on payroll but were being short paid would be paid in the next batch as soon as their pension benefit computation is concluded,’’ she added.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the organised labour in Kogi state has appealed to President Buhari to intervene over the issue of non-payment of salaries by the state government.
According to the unions, the issue has resulted to the deaths of many workers in the state.
READ ALSO: President Buhari needs a second term to consolidate on his achievements - Shu’aibu
Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra agitation... the journey so far! on - Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
