NEWS
Tinubu Okays Bulletproof SUVs, Medical Benefits, Others For Retired Army Generals
In a significant development aimed at improving the welfare of senior officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a range of enhanced retirement benefits for generals who served 35 years in service.
This comes after the president signed the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for Officers and Enlisted Personnel on December 14, 2024.
The new HTACOS, which had been under review since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, includes unprecedented benefits such as luxury vehicles, paid foreign medical treatment, and a suite of domestic and security aids.
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The retirement benefits focus on the highest ranks of the military, starting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
Each retiring service chief will receive a bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle as part of their retirement package.
According to the document, the benefits for retiring service chiefs include: “A bulletproof SUV and a Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle, maintained by the Armed Forces and replaced every four years.
“Domestic Staff: Five aides, including two cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener.
“Medical Benefits: Free medical care in Nigeria and abroad, with annual allowances for foreign medical trips.
“Security and Personal Assistance: One Aide-de-Camp (ADC) or Security Officer, one Special Assistant or Personal Assistant, three military drivers, and a military orderly.
“Residential Guards: Standard guard units of up to nine soldiers, and escorts provided by military formations as needed.
The document also states, “The following benefits shall be applicable: One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years. One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
“Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).”
While service chiefs receive the most extensive packages, other general officers are also entitled to significant benefits:
Lieutenant Generals and Equivalents: Two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, annual medical treatment allowances of $20,000, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers.
Major Generals: One Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 for annual medical treatment, one cook, one steward, two residential guards, one service orderly, and one service driver.
Brigadier Generals: One Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle, $10,000 annually for medical treatment, one service driver, two residential guards, and one orderly.
For officers below the rank of Brigadier General, benefits are scaled accordingly. Colonels and their equivalents, for instance, are entitled to a Toyota Corolla or its equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.
The HTACOS specifies generous allowances for medical trips abroad, with Lieutenant Generals receiving $20,000 annually for treatment, Major Generals $15,000, and Brigadier Generals $10,000.
Each officer embarking on a foreign medical trip is also entitled to $20,000 as estacode.
The document emphasizes that the practice of rewarding senior officers with substantial retirement benefits is not new, but the HTACOS reflects a revision to align with current socio-economic realities.
It states that Officers of One-Star rank (Brig. Gen.): One Toyota Camry or equivalent car of the same value; One service driver; two residential guards; One orderly and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $10,000 per annum.”
For Lieutenant Generals and equivalents, the package includes Two Toyota Hilux Vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent jeep of the same value; two Cooks; two Stewards; four residential guards; one service orderly; two service drivers and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $20,000 per year.”
The joy of attaining a milestone of 58 years on earth is rocking the home of the first family of Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is bubbling and celebrating his wife’s birthday by recounting their journey together and showering praises on her.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday to declare the admirable qualities of the first lady.
“Ibijoke mi, you are my rock, a reliable and dependable force, a loving wife, and a nurturing mother,” he wrote.
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Gov Sanwo-Olu wrote, “Happy birthday to my incredible wife and partner, Ibijoke who turns 58 today.
“Ibijoke mi, you are my rock, a reliable and dependable force, a loving wife, and a nurturing mother. For decades, you have been a steadfast pillar in my life, and a trusted partner through thick and thin. You are a fundamental part of my journey, standing by my side as we navigate the complexities of public service together.
“I celebrate you today and always. You are kind-hearted, a wonderful companion, and an exceptional mother.
“I thank God for your life and appreciate every moment of support, sacrifice, and love you have poured into the growth and development of Lagos State and our family.
“Happy Birthday, my love!”
A State High Court sitting in Enugu has issued an interim injunction barring the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, from considering the candidacy of former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, for the office of President-General in its upcoming January 10, 2025, election.
The injunction was granted following a motion filed by Chimenu Amadi on behalf of the Indigenous Igbos of Rivers State.
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Amadi argued that Okiro, being an indigene of Imo State, is ineligible for the position, which is reserved for candidates from Rivers State.
According to Amadi, “Only indigenes of Rivers State are eligible to aspire for the said position.”
The court further ruled that Okiro should be restrained from contesting for the presidency of the organization “on the grounds of ineligibility with particular reference to his state of origin,” pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
In a separate ruling, the court issued an interim order permitting the Nze Ozichukwu-Chukwu committee to conduct the election as scheduled while restraining certain chieftains from interfering.
Those restrained include Chidi Ibe, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Richard Ozubu, who have been accused of constituting a parallel body without lawful authority.
A motion filed by Aloy Ejimakor on the matter claimed that these individuals sought to undermine the constitutional process by making the election “an open and free-for-all affair,” thereby causing potential “discord, disharmony, lawlessness, and unrest.”
The court directed that the status quo be maintained and emphasized that the election must adhere to Article 11 of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s constitution, which stipulates that the presidency should rotate among Igbo states and Igbo-speaking people of Delta and Rivers States.
The election is set to fill the leadership vacuum left by the death of the late President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, whose tenure was cut short a few months ago.
Fidelis Ozichukwu has been acting as interim leader and is expected to oversee the group’s affairs until the election is concluded on January 10, 2025.
In a promising development for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, the Director General of the NYSC, announced that corps members will soon begin receiving an increased monthly allowance of N77,000.
The announcement was made during the commissioning of a new staff bus donated by Capital Express Insurance Company in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Ahmed stated, “Arrangements for the increased allowance have been finalised,” confirming that the new allowance would be rolled out by 2025.
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He reassured corps members that their welfare and security remain a top priority, emphasizing that they will receive all the benefits they deserve.
“By 2025, we will ensure that corps members enjoy all the benefits due to them,” Ahmed said.
This announcement comes as a response to concerns raised over the current monthly allowance of N33,000, which corps members have been receiving despite the signing of the new national minimum wage bill by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.
The increase is expected to provide relief to many corps members who have been advocating for better compensation.
During the event, Ahmed also addressed the transportation challenges faced by both NYSC staff and corps members, noting the difficulties in commuting to and from their offices.
To ease these challenges, Capital Express Insurance Company donated a new staff bus to the NYSC.
Matthew Ogwezhi, CEO of Capital Express Insurance, highlighted the longstanding partnership between the company and the NYSC.
“This donation is part of our commitment to support the scheme, especially in light of the rising fuel and transportation costs in Abuja,” Ogwezhi said.
The new bus aims to alleviate some of the commuting difficulties faced by staff, ensuring smoother operations for the NYSC.
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