The Federal Government has considered enrolling retired soldiers who fought on the Nigerian side during the Civil War into the military pension payroll.

For over 40 years, the retirees have staged multiple protests and written several petitions demanding their inclusion in the military pension payroll.

The ex-soldiers were enraged after the Federal Government forgave retired soldiers who fought on the Biafran side and enrolled them in the military pension payroll.

However, in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, stated that 63 Nigerian Army veterans who were not initially captured in the Military Pensions Board payroll have now been considered.

He said, ?A significant breakthrough has been achieved as veterans of the 63NA battalion who fought on the Nigerian side during the Civil War are now being considered for enrollment into the military pension payroll. This aligns with previous efforts to integrate their Biafran counterparts, who were earlier granted similar benefits.?

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, including the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; and the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson.

He noted that aside from considering Civil War veterans, they have ensured timely and consistent pension payments, introduced a new approach to veterans? engagement, and established a ministerial standing committee dedicated to bridging the gap between the Federal Government, the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Headquarters, and the Military Pensions Board.

Also confirming the development, the national coordinator of the soldiers who fought on the government side during the Civil War, Phillip Babawande, commended the President and the Minister of Defence for considering them.

He urged the authori?ies to expedite action on the process to ensure payments commence without delay.

Babawande said, ?We, the Civil War veterans, sincerely appreciate President Bola Tinubu, the Ministers of Defence, and the Coalition of Concerned Veterans for considering our inclusion in the military pension payroll. It has been a long and arduous journey, and we are grateful that our efforts have finally yielded results.

?However, we urge the authorities to expedite the verification process and other necessary procedures to ensure that payments begin without delay. This will bring much-needed relief and joy to our members, many of whom have endured years of struggle.? (The PUNCH)

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