From Vitor Osula, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday marked his 74th birthday with a directive to the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, to create a special account for a fund for the heroes, heroines and victims in the armed forces of the country. The fund will receive his salaries since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, as seed funding, irrespective of the insurance and welfare for members of the armed forces.
“On this my 74th birthday, I celebrate the valiant and dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces. Today, I have directed the Accountant –General of the federation to establish a special account for a fund dedicated to those who serve, those wounded in the line of duty and the families of those who have paid the ultimate price. As a personal commitment, all my salaries since assuming office will be paid into this account as seed funding, irrespective of the existing insurance and welfare schemes for members of the Armed Forces, the President said in his statement.
According to him, the fund will directly support all the brave men and women in the Armed Forces and their dependents. Promising to disclose details of the account soon, he called on governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector and his friends and well-wishers to be prepared to donate into the fund as a matter of duty, not charity.
He said, “This fund will directly support all those who lost their limbs, and the widows and widowers, and children of those who laid down their lives in service to our dear country. I call on our Governors, members of our National Assembly, the private sector, my friends and well-wishers to support this initiate, Details of the count will be made available in due course. We must never forget those who stand in harm’s way for our peace, nor the sacrifices borne by their families. This is not charity, but duty and we would fulfill it.”
