The new Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Maj.-Gen. Julius Ehioze Osifo, on Wednesday assumed duty in Abuja, promising to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, deploy technology, and speed up payments of pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to retired and discharged military personnel and the next-of-kin (NOK) of deceased service members.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony with his predecessor, Air Vice Marshal Mikhail Abdulraheem, at the MPB headquarters in Abuja, Osifo said delays in paying death benefits to the families of soldiers killed in action could undermine troop morale and dishonour the sacrifices of fallen military personnel.
He explained that inefficient administration that denied families their entitled benefits could weaken the fighting spirit of troops engaged in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Drawing on his operational experience in Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, Osifo said the military’s responsibility to its personnel extended beyond their years of active service to ensuring that their families were adequately catered for after their death.
According to him, “From my personal experience in OPHK, I can tell you outright that inefficient administration leading to default in payments of benefits to NOK of kill-in-action (KIA) personnel not only diminishes the sacrifices of our gallant soldiers, dishonours the memory of those killed in action and demoralises the fighting spirit of those in combat”
He added that military personnel who retired or were discharged after meritorious service also deserved prompt payment of their entitlements.
Osifo said the country’s security challenges, including insurgency and terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, separatist violence in the South-East, and militancy and oil theft in the South-South, had increased the deployment of troops on operational duties.
He stressed that the sacrifices of personnel confronting these threats must be matched by an efficient pension administration system that guarantees prompt payment of entitlements to veterans and the families of fallen military personnel.
The new chairman assured beneficiaries that his administration would prioritise the timely processing and payment of benefits while ensuring that legitimate recipients received their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
According to him, “my mission statement will be anchored on leading a Board that will prioritise all ways and means to ensure payments are prompt, accessed with seamless ease, less cumbersome, less bureaucratic, but with an overriding commitment to ensuring only the rightful recipients get their due entitlements.”
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Osifo said his administration would work to improve access to benefits for military veterans and the families of deceased personnel, while reducing the difficulties associated with processing claims.
He disclosed that the board would adopt modern technology, strengthen collaboration with the military services to identify beneficiaries proactively, and accelerate the processing of pensions, gratuities and death benefits.
He also pledged to deepen engagement with the Defence Headquarters, service headquarters, the Ministry of Defence, relevant National Assembly committees, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance to improve coordination and facilitate payments.
The chairman said the capacity and welfare of the board’s military and civilian personnel would also receive attention, stressing that a well-trained and motivated workforce was essential to efficient service delivery.
He promised to uphold high ethical and professional standards, strengthen training and ensure fairness in the treatment of personnel.
According to him, “The challenge to reposition the Board is a collective responsibility. In view of this, I implore all officers, servicemen and women and civilian staff to brace up for the enormous task ahead. All hands must be on deck for the actualisation of my vision”.
Osifo thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his appointment and acknowledged the roles of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Minister of Defence in approving his nomination.
He also commended his predecessors for laying the foundation for the board’s development and paid tribute to Abdulraheem, his immediate predecessor and coursemate, for his service.
He pledged to build on the achievements of previous administrations and reposition the board to provide prompt and efficient financial services to military retirees and the families of deceased personnel.
In his remarks, the outgoing chairman, Air Vice Marshal Mikhail Abdulraheem, urged board personnel to sustain teamwork, discipline and innovation to improve the welfare of military pensioners and their next-of-kin.
Abdulraheem said the board’s mandate transcended individual leadership, stressing that its success depended on the collective commitment of its personnel to the welfare of retired military personnel and their beneficiaries.
According to him, “As I hand over leadership today, I urge you all to extend the same cooperation, respect, and commitment to my course mate. Give him your support, share your ideas freely, and continue to work as one team”.
“The mandate of this Board is bigger than any individual, and its success depends on our ability to remain united and focused on the welfare of our military pensioners and their Next-of-Kin.”
He thanked the board’s officers, servicemen and women, and civilian staff for their cooperation, dedication, and support during his tenure.
He attributed the achievements recorded under his leadership to their collective efforts, professionalism and willingness to work towards common goals.
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