Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling his pledge to increase the salaries of Armed Forces personnel.
The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District gave the commendation in a statement at the weekend.
Recall that the Presidency last month issued an official statement committing to the implementation of a new salary package for certain categories of Armed Forces personnel.
According to the statement attributed to Bayo Onanuga, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier generals, major generals, lieutenant generals and generals, would receive a 30 per cent salary increase.
He also added that personnel from colonel down to warrant officer would get a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant would receive an 80 per cent increase.
The presidential aide, who said the new package would raise the annual salary bill for Armed Forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion, declared that more than 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces would benefit.
Further checks revealed that the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed the implementation of the upward review to defence correspondents on Friday.
Responding to the development, the federal lawmaker, who was also the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, commended President Tinubu for walking the talk and continuing to do everything necessary to boost the morale of Nigerian military personnel.
He, however, tasked military officers with redoubling their efforts in combating insurgency, kidnapping and banditry.
He maintained that in the last three years, the present administration had shown commitment to curtailing insecurity by taking proactive initiatives, including providing funding to procure adequate arms and ammunition and doing everything necessary to boost the morale of Armed Forces personnel.
He said, “Making a pronouncement is one thing; redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely.
“President Tinubu has shown, time and time again, that he keeps to his word. It is heartwarming to note that the salary increment he promised the Nigerian Army has been redeemed.
“I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity, since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale. They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground following the recent recruitment.
“The activation of the Army Aviation would also go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Air Force, now that we also have attack helicopters in the six geopolitical zones.”
The former Senate Leader restated his appeal for better-coordinated synergy between the infantry and the Air Force in the war against insurgency and banditry.