President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja said N134.7 billion has been approved for the payment of Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to all veterans.
The president also announced the donation of N10 million to the Nigerian Legion, on behalf of the federal government, at the launch of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and appeal fund.
Speaking at the occasion, which preceded the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the president pledged federal government’s commitment to the welfare of veterans by ensuring prompt payment of their pension and other entitlements, which had been demonstrated by his approval of the payment of SDA to veterans with effect from 2017.
‘‘However, in order to capture all veterans hitherto excluded from the payment of the SDA, I have approved a review of the effective date of the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA) 2017.
‘‘Accordingly, I have also approved the sum of N134, 749,953,243.69 only for that purpose,’’ he said.
The president also expressed delight that the Defence Health Maintenance Limited is living up to expectation in providing healthcare services to the veterans, noting the expansion of the reach of their services through the establishment of zonal and state offices.
