To lessen the difficulty caused by the federal government’s suspension of the fuel subsidy, the Ministry of Defence flagged off veterans’ enrollment for palliatives on Saturday night, October 21 2023, through its Steering Committee for Social Safety NET.

According to Mohammed Abubakar, the Minister of Defense, who was represented by Jude Alozie, Director of Joint Service Forces, the action was taken to mitigate the effects of the termination of the fuel subsidy.

Alozie said, “Our veterans deserve the very best.” Assuring that the gesture would continue this way, he said that this was the first time it had occurred. The Commander of 15 Brigade Ohafia, Caius Baushe, spoke on behalf of Christopher Musa, who described the program as economically beneficial and advised all veterans to ensure they are registered because it is available to everyone.

The purpose of the palliatives, according to Abdumalik Jibril, National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, was to alleviate the negative effects of the contentious Fuel Subsidy and the associated economic and social hardship on veterans, widows, orphans, and dependents of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and caregivers.

He said, “In keeping with his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria and Nigerians, and in response to the inevitable decision to remove the contentious Fuel Subsidy and its attendant economic and social hardship on the citizens, President Bola Tinubu decided to provide palliatives to 15 million households to alleviate their sufferings.

“As a result, the President gave the HNOHA and PA instructions to expand their charitable act to veterans in the community whom the Nigeria Legion covers. “This is the government’s first act of this kind in recent memory.

“The Ministry of Defence Steering Committee on Social Safety NET has decided to launch the enrollment of veterans, widows, orphans, and dependents of our fallen heroes and caregivers. This is done in partnership with the Abia State Government and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. “Flagging off the crucial program is unquestionably a move in the right way.

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“We are here tonight to support our warriors, widows, orphans, and caregivers and to thank the state government for working with us to make the event a huge success. On October 25, 2023, in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will announce the Armed Forces Remembrance Day launch for 2024.

“May I, therefore, take this opportunity to reiterate the support and cooperation of the good people of Abia State through Gov. Alex Otti to continue appreciating the immeasurable sacrifices made and being made by your sons and daughters for the unity of this country by not only not giving generously during the Emblem Appeal Launch but continuing to support your sons and daughters as veterans residing and still contributing to the systematic development of the country.

Ambrose Nnabugwu, the chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Abia State, had earlier claimed that the enlistment was meant to lessen the pain brought on by the loss of gasoline subsidies.

According to Nnabugwu, “We in Abia applauded Tinubu, and the Honourable Minister who guaranteed that veterans receive a special package, and the National Chairman of Nigeria Legion for his input, noting, “by this. have written their names in the sands of time.”

He thanked the federal government for selecting the state to launch the initiative. He also expressed his gratitude to Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, for making the state safe and livable for its citizens.