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….Urges military personnel to redouble efforts to curtail insecurity
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing the salary increase promised to personnel of the Armed Forces, urging the military to reciprocate the gesture with renewed efforts to tackle insurgency, kidnapping and banditry.
Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said the implementation of the new salary structure would boost the morale of military personnel in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
In a statement at the weekend, he said the president had demonstrated commitment by fulfilling his pledge to improve the welfare of members of the Armed Forces.
“Making a pronouncement is one thing, redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely,” Ndume said, adding that “President Tinubu has shown times without number that he keeps to his words.
“It is heartwarming to note that the salary increment he promised the Nigerian Army has been redeemed.”
The commendation followed confirmation by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, on Friday that the upward review of the salaries of Armed Forces personnel had commenced.
Last month, the presidency announced that officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier generals, major generals, lieutenant generals and generals, would receive a 30 per cent salary increase.
Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer are to receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant are to get an 80 per cent increase.
According to the Presidency, the new package would increase the annual salary bill for Armed Forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion, with more than 250,000 personnel expected to benefit.
Ndume, a former Senate leader, while acknowledging the development, said the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare and operational capacity of the military should be matched by greater commitment from personnel on the battlefield.
“I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale,” he said.
“They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground with the recent recruitment.”
He further said the administration had, over the last three years, demonstrated commitment to addressing insecurity through increased financing for the procurement of arms and ammunition and other measures aimed at improving the operational capacity and morale of the Armed Forces.
The lawmaker also highlighted the activation of Army Aviation as another development that could strengthen ongoing military operations.
“The activation of the Army Aviation would also go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Air Force, now that we also have attack helicopters in the six geo-political zones,” Ndume said.
He, however, renewed his call for stronger and better-coordinated synergy between the Army’s infantry formations and the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against insurgency and banditry.
