Why I Intervened in Payment of soldiers’ December Salaries -Minister

The minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said that the sacrifices made by the military to keep the country safe and secure is the reason their salaries should be paid promptly.

The minister said this after he had intervened in the payment of December salaries of soldiers, which was earlier delayed by the concerned authorities.

The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said this in a statement on Monday, December 25.

According to Ogubike, Matawalle engaged with the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to expedite the resolution of the salary payment delay.

He said: “The Minister’s intervention came at the heat of non-payment of December salary to our Nigerian Soldiers at this festive season.

“Recognizing the critical nature of this matter, Matawalle personally made all necessary contacts with the authorities in charge of payment of salary and our military officers can now celebrate with their loved ones as their salaries have started dropping in their accounts.

“While thanking the concerned authorities for the prompt payment of December salary after his intervention, the minister commended the Military for their dedication and commitment to their duties despite the initial challenge in the payment of their December salary.

“He hopes the payment will boost your morale to carry on your constitutional duty of protecting the nation.

“He urged Nigerians irrespective of their religion to pray for the Military officers who are out there protecting us and the territorial integrity of our nation.”