In order to properly honor retired police officers’ significant achievements to the nation, President Bola Tinubu has promised to oversee an expeditious evaluation of their pension and severance benefits.
Additionally, Tinubu announced that his administration will start the process of issuing an Executive Order designating a day between March 5 and April 1 as the nation’s official National Police and Veterans’ Day.
He made these remarks on Tuesday during his speech at the Police Veterans’ Foundation’s official launch, which took place at the Police Service Commission’s Abuja headquarters.
In the person of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State for Police Affairs, the President pledged his unwavering support for the Veterans’ Foundation, calling it “a moral imperative” and a duty for all governmental branches as well as well-meaning citizens.
“Supporting and assisting the police veterans is rather a moral imperative, nay obligatory on government at all levels, including well-meaning members of the society,” he stated.
“I must acknowledge that without these veterans, Nigeria would have no doubt descended into a Hobbesian state of nature where life is brutish, nasty and short; and only the fittest and strongest survive.
“We are further reminded that the idea of citizenship carries with it a sense of responsibility and patriotic duty.
“It is incumbent on us, therefore, to acknowledge the efforts, heroism and sacrifice made by those who gave their all, so that we may have peace and security in Nigeria. One of such responsibilities is supporting and sustaining the Police Veterans’ Foundation to enable the attainment of its noble objectives of giving a better life and hopes to our Police retired officers that will cushion the effects and burdens of post-service challenges.
“As the President of our dear country, I will not only give my full support to the Veterans Foundation but will also ensure that such areas as improving the pension and severance package of retired police officers, are immediately reviewed to reflect the enormity of their contributions and commitment to our country.
“Also, administrative processes towards issuance of an Executive Order will be immediately initiated to set aside a day, perhaps, 5th March (being today, the launch of the Veterans’ Foundation) or 1st April (being the date that the hitherto existing police forces of Northern and Southern provinces were amalgamated to form a unified Nigeria Police Force), as National Police and Veterans’ Day in Nigeria”, he concluded.