The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has unveiled plans to establish dedicated military hospitals for veterans across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and introduce low-interest loans to support their post-service businesses.
Oluyede gave the assurance during an interactive meeting with military veterans from the South-South geopolitical zone in Benin City, Edo.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Damaila Uba, on Saturday in Abuja.
The CDS said the initiatives were part of ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to improve the welfare of retired military personnel and their families.
He explained that the proposed loan scheme, to be facilitated through the Bank of Industry, would enable veterans to establish and expand businesses after retirement.
He also disclosed plans to expand access to military medical services, including the provision of dedicated facilities to address veterans’ healthcare needs across the six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the military hospital in Abuja is also being expanded, with a percentage of its facilities reserved for veterans.
Oluyede described the meeting as part of his initiative to engage directly with retired military personnel on issues affecting their welfare, administration and post-service concerns.
He said the forum would strengthen interaction between serving military leadership and veterans while enabling the Armed Forces to benefit from their wealth of professional experience.
He said veterans remained an important part of the military institution, whose contributions and sacrifices to national security deserved sustained recognition and support.
Oluyede urged the retired personnel to remain good ambassadors of the Armed Forces in their respective communities.
On operational capabilities, he briefed the veterans on ongoing efforts to acquire modern military platforms and force enablers.
He said some of the newly acquired equipment had started arriving in the country and would positively impact ongoing military operations.
The CDS reaffirmed the military leadership’s commitment to improving veterans’ administration and welfare.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association (RANAO), retired Col. Tony Ogbomo, commended the CDS for sustaining engagements with veterans.
Ogbomo particularly applauded the proposed establishment of dedicated military hospitals across the six geopolitical zones and the planned low-interest loan scheme.
He said the initiatives would address some of the longstanding concerns of retired personnel and provide opportunities for economic stability after military service.
The interactive session also provided an opportunity for the veterans to raise concerns bordering on gratuity computation, pension administration and access to medical services.
The Defence Headquarters said the engagement was part of a nationwide initiative by the CDS, adding that similar meetings had been held with veterans from the South-West and North-Central geopolitical zones.
It said the engagements would continue across the country. (NAN)
