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Ndume Hails Tinubu’s Military Pay Package, Tasks Troops on Insurgency, Banditry
The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Ali Ndume, has lauded the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for keeping his promise to increase the salary package of military personnel.
Senator Ndume, a former Leader of the Nigerian Senate, gave the commendation in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
It is on record that the present administration of President Tinubu had last month issued an official statement pledging to begin the implementation of new take-home pay for certain categories of Armed Forces personnel.
The statement, attributed to Mr. Bayo Onanuga, noted that officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier Generals, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, would receive a 30 percent salary increase.
The statement further added that personnel from Colonel down to Warrant Officer would get a 50 percent increase, while those from Private to Staff Sergeant would receive an 80 percent increase.
Mr. Onanuga, who said the new package would increase the annual salary bill for Armed Forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion, noted that over 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces would benefit.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, in an interview with Defence Correspondents, confirmed the implementation of the upward review.
Reacting to the development, Senator Ndume, who was also a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, thanked President Tinubu for keeping his promise to do everything necessary to boost the morale of personnel of the Nigerian Military.
He appealed to military officers to intensify their efforts to wipe out insurgency, kidnapping and banditry.
He maintained that in the last three years, the present administration has shown commitment to curtailing insecurity by taking proactive initiatives in terms of financing to procure adequate arms and ammunition and doing everything necessary to boost the morale of Armed Forces personnel.
Senator Ndume noted that: “Making a pronouncement is one thing, redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely.
“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.
“I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale. They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground with the recent recruitment.
“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.”
Senator Ndume, once again, appealed for better and coordinated synergy between the infantry and the Air Force in the war against insurgency and banditry in the country.
