By Kelechi Ogunleye
Retired senior officers of four paramilitary agencies in the country have commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a lifetime salary structure for personnel of the services.
The retired heads of agencies, gave the commendation, when they paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The senior officers were from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu had approved a lifetime salary structure for retired paramilitary agencies’ Controller/Commandant/Comptroller Generals (CGs) and Deputy CGs.
The NIS retired Comptroller -General, Chukwura Udeh, said that the essence of the visit was to show deep appreciation to Tinubu through the minister.
Udeh said that the lifetime salary approval had been a long time issue that had lingered in previous administrations.
“On our behalf, kindly extend our appreciation to Mr President because this issue that was approved like it is nothing, made us see hell.
“We were abandoned half way by other ministers but we will always remember that you have helped humanity,” he said.
Responding, Tunji-Ojo on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciated the retired personnel for their years of service to the country.
According to the minister, the wellbeing and welfare of men in uniform will always be of priority to the president.
“Mr President believes in renewed hope, and that it should be a way of life, and you do not just build a nation by building infrastructure, but also by building the people.
“He does not see your welfare as a slogan but a way of life; It is the least of what you deserve because you have sacrificed the better part of your years.
“We must never allow you, in your old age, to regret the decisions of your youthful age to serve Nigeria,” he said.
He said that no officer was allowed to retire into poverty having worked hard for the country, hence, the need to ensure the welfare of officers in retirement.
“The service is not the way it used to be as It has never been this good for the paramilitary agencies.
“Look at the pride in our men in uniform, they now wear their uniforms in pride and no longer get belittled,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He said that the ministry had cleared backlogs of promotion arrears, adding that promotion examinations were recently carried out by officers and men across the agencies.
“People can now get to the right ranks at the right time and can predict their career growth, which is very motivating.
“When you entered the service, you planned to give your best to the nation so the nation should be wiling to give you its best,” the minister said.
Some of the retired agency heads in attendance were: retired NSCDC Commandant General, Abdullahi Gana, ex FFS Controller General, Abdulganiyu Jaji, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
