Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate payment of insurance entitlements owed to the families of officers and soldiers who died while fighting to defend the nation.
This was made known by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at the opening of the Combined Second and Third Quarters COAS Conference, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the conference is being attended by army field commanders and heads of institutions and establishments.
The COAS affirmed that the welfare of troops and their families was of paramount importance, and pledged to consolidate all existing welfare arrangements to enhance the well-being of troops and their families to keep them focused on their tasks.
“In addition to providing befitting living quarters for our personnel, we shall ensure the newly introduced ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme’ designed to provide affordable and high- quality post-service homes for our soldiers' work.
“We shall also ensure that our injured warriors get the best medical care and continue to support the widows and next-of-kin of our fallen heroes.”
Lagbaja appreciated President Tinubu for directing that all pending insurance payments owed to the families were paid without delay, and for his strategic guidance of the Armed Forces.
“On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I want to reiterate our unalloyed loyalty and pledge our total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Additionally, Lagbaja urged army personnel to continue to work with other sister agencies to decisively deal with all security challenges facing the country.
He told the participants of his Command Philosophy, which was to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained force, equipped and highly motivated towards achieving constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.
According to him, the philosophy would guide and drive the actions and engagements of the army in all operations within and outside the boundaries of Nigeria.
