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. 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.
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.
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