Metro
Tinubu Approves N18b Life Assurance Benefits for Families of Fallen Heroes
President Bola Tinubu has approved N18 billion for the payment of the Group Life Assurance benefits and other entitlements to the families of fallen heroes.
Tinubu announced this at the launch of the Emblem and Appeal Fund for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the presidential villa on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the country owed a debt of gratitude to its gallant troops, who have risen to the challenge of securing the country.
“In appreciation of the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces, and to underscore this government’s commitment to their welfare, I have approved the sum of N18 billion for the payment of their Group Life Assurance.
“The payment will also cater for the benefits and other entitlements to the families of service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“I also call on businesses to key into this patriotic spirit and support our service personnel, whether in the form of preferential treatment, discounts, or rebates on goods and services.”
Tinubu assured that his administration would continue to reposition and strengthen all Nigerian security agencies.
“It’s a commitment that we must take seriously. Our foremost objective is to provide a conducive environment, free from threats and criminalities, to enable all who reside within our borders to thrive and live in peace.”
Tinubu noted that the Defense Health Maintenance L.td. (DHML), was living up to its expectation in providing healthcare services to veterans.
“But we will do more. Equally important is the expansion of its services through the establishment of zonal and state offices and regular sensitization programmes.
“As a government, we will continue to prioritise the provision of quality healthcare services to our esteemed veterans and citizens.”
He commended the Nigerian Legion, under the coordination and supervision of the Ministry of Defense, saying “It continues to be a rallying point for veterans, to cater for the welfare of their ailing members.
“I enjoin the leadership of the Nigerian Legion to continue in this spirit and as its Grand Patron, I wish to pledge my full support and that of the Federal Government.”
He appreciated state governors and Patrons in their respective states, for the support they give to the Nigerian Legion,
The president urged them not to relent, but to improve on their efforts.
He also encouraged government agencies at the Federal and state levels to continue to patronise the services of the Nigerian Legion in the provision of security and other administrative services.
“The potential of our ex-servicemen remains enormous and can indeed be tapped for national development.
“The emblem remains a symbol of remembrance and a beacon of hope for a peaceful future in this country.
“It is also our humble way of appreciating the veterans and the families of their fallen colleagues.
“I therefore wish to call on all Nigerians and non-Nigerians residing in the country, irrespective of their political affiliation or religious belief, to adorn the emblem with pride, and identify with those who laid down their lives for the peace and security of our dear country.”
Tinubu also encouraged donors to contribute generously and support veterans and families of fallen heroes.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, appreciated fallen heroes for the enormous sacrifices they made for the country.
“For the services they offered to keep our nation together, the President, leading other members of the Federal Executive Council, the service chiefs and the Minister of Defense, commemorate this day every year.”
Also, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said that the event signified the concern and appreciation of the Tinubu government to the sacrifice of the Armed Forces.
“Because of their sacrifices, we have a lot of widows, a lot of orphans and those without breadwinners,” saying “this for us is significant because it tells us that we have not been forgotten.
“And then it also serves as a morale booster to those of them still in service that whatever it is that happens to you, the nation is solidly behind you.”
Similarly, Retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, the National Chairman, Nigerian Legion, said “I feel highly fulfilled with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for launching the emblem for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
“It is gratifying to note the huge turnout of people at the event, the pledges and contributions made in order to help the families of the fallen heroes.
“We are, therefore, very gratified with this achievement today. It’s very memorable for us.”
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.
Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has welcomed the newly-appointed Apostolic to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
Crotty, an Irish, was appointed by the Vatican.
He will oversee the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the church in Nigeria.
The position, an ambassadorial status, advances cohesion in the body of Christ.
In his welcome message for Crotty on Tuesday, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, said that the Church was glad to receive him.
The CBCN president, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, said,” With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, clergy, religious and lay faithful in Nigeria.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
“His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries,” he said.
He said that although Crotty was the first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland to serve in Nigeria, many Irish missionaries had played significant roles in spreading the gospel in Nigeria.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
“We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for our excellency,” he added. (NAN)
The National Boundary Commission (NBC), says it has concluded plans to provide infrastructure in flash locations along interstate boundaries to encourage integration and cooperation.
The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adaji said that the commission would look at flash point areas and provide infrastructures that would encourage cooperation and integration among border communities.
He said that the goal was to see how the commission could bring people in border communities together to share from a common facility.
This, according to him, will douse tension and bring some kind of understanding among border communities.
“The bounder communities will share the facilities, which in the long run will bring the people together and eventually reduce tension and boundary conflicts.
“This is a way of encouraging integration and cooperation by encouraging people to come together, relate with one another and engage in beneficial commercial activities.”
Adaji said that a similar initiative was test runed with a borehole, constructed boundary corridor in Ado Local Government Area of Benue state, where it shared boundary with Ebonyi.
“We have also been able to construct some market stalls in the Ebonyi sector of the boundary between Ebonyi and Cross River,” he added.
“So, our appeal is for people to appreciate, cooperate and understand that boundaries are not barriers.
“The boundary line will not stop somebody from owning properties across and that is what we want to partner with the states to educate people along by the boundary corridors. (NAN)
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