7Div Veterans Community

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
We, the entire members of the Association of 7DIV Veterans Community, Borno State, extend our heartfelt condolences to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai North East, as well as the officers and soldiers of 29 Task Force Brigade, Benisheikh, following the tragic loss of the Commanding Officer and soldiers during the recent attack.
We deeply sympathize with the Nigerian Army and the bereaved families over this unfortunate incident. Indeed, the fallen officers and soldiers are heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation. We pray for the peaceful repose of their souls and for strength and comfort to their families, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time.
We commend the resilience, courage, and dedication of all security personnel for their proactive service and unwavering commitment in the discharge of their duties. We reaffirm our continued support to all security agencies in their efforts to restore lasting peace in Borno State and Nigeria at large.
May their souls rest in peace.

Comrade Bukar Mustapha RTD Secretary General
For
AG Chairman
Association of 7DIV Veterans Community

*THE ILLUSIONS OF LEADERSHIP AND THE CONTINUITY ILLUSIONS. ~MyTenKobo!*

Sunday, June 22nd

*WE MISSED IT!*

*1) We missed it, when, we had military regimes and military heads of states and state administrators ? The military could have instituted a system of soft landing for military personnel transition to civilian life and make it attractive and effective?*

*2) We missed it, when, we had, military veterans, as heads of states ? When we had Buhari as President and the NSA, veteran, and, MoD a veteran too? We were protesting, they were watching us through their windows, and, they got alerts too ?*

*3) We missed it, when, Olonisakin, as one of his exit plans, initiated the retreats, which, the VFN was birthed and the structure of hope started, to fight against the illusion of leadership ?*

*4) We missed it, when, Gen. Jubril rtd. was made a VFN committee head, and, he was later to be appointed as the Legion Chairman ? I sent him a message, humbly requesting that, he should inculcate the VFN structure, of which he is a frontline committee chairman, to, begin the switch from Legion to VFN. He claimed not to have seen my message. At the MoD meeting, after we shut down MoD in protest, I asked him again, to help us, and, he opened his WhatsApp, and, he saw my message and apologized, and promised?*

*5) We missed it, when, the same Gen. Jubril, headed the Legion, and, was assigned, CSO~Chief Security Officer, of the APC campaign project. I tried again, to say, Oga, no forget VFN ooooo, yet, I couldn’t get his attention!*

*6) We missed it, when, the same, Gen. Jubril, translated to a new office, to head a joint chairmanship position for PARAMILITARY, immigration, customs, and, correctional services. I tried reaching him, to champion a recruitment program for young and capable military veterans, to take up leadership positions, in the paramilitaries, yet, no audience!*

*7) We have MISSED IT, this time, with the appointment of a new Chairman, Legion ? Madam MORENIKEJI?W

*UPDATE AND GOOD NEWS*

*GOOD MORNING COMRADE*

Finally, the trial payroll has been released and discrepancy in computing has been resolved and ready for payment.

*MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY*
Rent subsidy and Peculiar allowance arrears has been captured in May, 2024 salary.

*OTHER CIVIL SERVANTS*
25% and 35% announced on 1st May, 2024 has also been implemented, Arrears follows later month.

*FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTION (FTI)*
The 25% and 35% Arrears of Jan and Feb has been computed for May 2024 salary.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE INVOLVE AND ENJOY YOUR SALARY CELEBRATION IN ADVANCE.

Thank you

*DR. SULTAN ABAJI*
ADMIN GEN
ALL GOVERNMENT WORKERS IN NIGERIA

UPDATE ON SDA NEW TEMPLATE

1. It is very understood that "Managing humans is the greatest task ever, but whenever one is called to serve, one is bound to develop a thick skin". Going by recent reactions by some very few over the activities of the 5-man Committee across Veterans platforms, one may conclude that, rewards can only come from God. However, in what appears to be a vindication to my last update, hope seems to be rising with one of our recommendations, for the bulk payments of the SDA using same template regardless of retirement year. The request for the release of the calculated funds to take care of the shortfalls that will arise as a result of this bulk payment has been confirmed to be on Mr President's table. The acknowledgement letter from the Presidency is a confirmation of this, which is right now with us, but not for public display. It will be recalled that this was mentioned in our submitted report that the MPB has done the calculations. Consequently, more underground efforts by the Committee is still required to finally arrive at sourcing for funds that will lead to the implementation of this bulk payments.

2. What this means is, acceptable template as recommended by us will be implemented, with arrears fully paid. This will put to rest the insinuations of the doubting Thomases, who are of the opinion that all efforts by the 5-man standing Committee as constituted by the HMoD was a mere ploy to, according to them, "buy time."

3. For those of us that have connections at the Presidency, this is your time, your supports for the approval and subsequent release of the fund will be appreciated. This is the time you should stand to be counted.

4. It is also worth mentioning that the bridging of the wide disparity in pensions payments existing between ranks including new pensions structure are receiving adequate attentions. Also, the VFN act is being prepared for onwards transmission to Ministry of Justice and National Assembly.

5. Let us therefor

*REPORT ON OUTCOME OF A 3-DAY MEETING OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF DEFENCE REFORM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA BILL* -
By _Dr.Barr. Emeka Norman Igwesi, FICMC, NOTARY PUBLIC, Enugu State Chairman, Nigerian Legion. A member of the Ministerial Committee, representing the 36 States Chairmen and FCT of the Nigerian Legion and a delegate of the National Council of Nigerian Legion._

The Committee was inaugurated on 3rd April 2024, at the conference hall of the Ministry of Defence, MOD, at Ship B, Ship House, Abuja. *The members of the Ministerial Committee* comprised *(1)* Major Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril *(2)* Major Gen. Azagaku Umaru
*(3)* Major Gen. Muyiwa Badewole
*(4)* Brig. Gen. Femi Oguntuyi, mni
*(5)* Brig. Gen. Ishaya T. Bauka
*(6)* Major Mike Kebonkwu, Esq. (7) ACG Dr. Emeka Igwesi, Esq. *(8)* Dr. Abdulahi Aliyu Awal *(9)* Vet.Cdr. Abiodun H. Durowaiye.
*MOD*: 1. The Permanent Secretary MOD, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, _mni_, Chairman (2) The Director Joint Services MOD, O.M Mustapha, Mrs (3) Director Veterans Affairs Division, MOD, Dr. Jude Alozie, Secretary, and (4) Barr. Adebola Odubesan, Director Legal, MOD and SA, Legal to Attorney General of the Federation.

The elitist PS, MOD, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, _mni_, welcomed the members of the Cmtt, made courtesies and pleasantries on behalf of the HMOD, and thereafter inaugurated the Cmtt.
The Cmtt was given time to go and study the objects of the reform of the Veteran Federation of Nigeria draft Bill and the Nigerian Legion Act, cap 119, LFN, 2010. Indeed, the VFN Bill presented for consideration was one which I was very conversant with being the document impaneled during the October 2019 Retreat on Veterans Unification which I was the secretary of the Legal sub-cmtt that drafted the document, and Maj. Gen. Muyiwa Badewole (Rtd) was the sub-cmtt Chairman.

The present tinkering on the bill was the forerunner of a preliminary objection from the Nigerian Legion on the issue of the composition of the cmtt.

THE RACE TO VFN LEADERSHIP.
The energies exerted by the 5- man group set up by the honorable minister in pursuing the reality of the bill to scale through is encouraging. Once its approved,its a victory to all the entire veterans irrespective of rank,group or affiliation.
After this,comes the second hurdle.The real military pension politics will now emerge.Already,the superiority complex of a star General and two star General does exist as per who to head the body.Another factor is camps- Hmod slot,VP slot,National Assembly camp and of course,the presidency will also be interested.The lobby may not be transparent now but when the food is ready,we shall be witnessing structures.
Appointments and hierarchy of the VFN won't be automatic as the committee members may be insinuating. That's why the members should work first before anything. The SDA, palliative, minimum wage ,medical veterans etc should be their priority and not vfn.
Lastly,Its only one camel that can enter the eye of a needle.Its only a candidate that will scale through amongst the five members. Who is the anoited?

*UPDATE ON (Q1) SDA*
April 15, 2924

*1. The Ministerial Committee On Military Veterans Welfare, wishes to once again sympathize with Colleagues who are yet to be paid their first Quarter of Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), due to some technical hitches.*

*2. The Committee, which have been in touch with the Board since the ugly incident occurred, csn now confirm that the expected reversal from Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN), has now reached the Military Pensions Board (MPB) and efforts to sort things out are presently on, even as at the time of this report.*

*3. According to our investigation, the Board has also observed from the list being forwarded by Veterans, that a handful of Pensioners that are not entitled to the payment are also making claims of not being paid by sending their particulars to the Board.*

*4. Please, note. If you are a post November 9, 2017 Pensioner, you are not entitled to any claim of SDA because you are one of the beneficiaries of the millions paid to personnel on retirement and so, you shouldn't be one of those Pensioners that are laying claims of non payment. As at the time of this report, the Staff of the Board are working seriously to ensure payment as soon as possible.*

*5. Once again, the Committee regrets the inconveniences and working closely with the Military Pensions Board, to ensure quick resolution and to also ensure this never happen again...*

Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts
*Secretary, Ministerial Committee On Military Veterans Welfare.*