By Nkechi Eze
The new Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Major General Julius Osifo, has pledged to ensure prompt payment of pensions, gratuities, death benefits and outstanding arrears to retired military personnel and families of fallen heroes, stressing that those who served the nation deserve dignity, empathy and timely support.
Osifo gave the assurance during the handing-over and taking-over ceremony at the Board’s headquarters in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, where he succeeded the outgoing chairman, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem.
He said his administration would prioritise efficient pension administration, simplify access to benefits and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, while strengthening verification procedures to ensure that legitimate beneficiaries receive their entitlements.
The new chairman noted that the welfare of military veterans and the families of deceased personnel remained a critical responsibility of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly amid the increasing operational demands on troops confronting insecurity across the country.
According to him, delays in the payment of benefits to families of personnel killed in action could undermine the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and affect the morale of troops still serving in operational theatres.
“From my personal experience in OPHK, I can tell you outright that inefficient administration leading to default in payments of benefits to NOK of KIA 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,” Osifo said.
He added that personnel who retire or are discharged after years of meritorious service also deserve a pension administration system that recognises their contributions and ensures they receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
Osifo, who became the 26th chairman of the Board since its establishment as the Directorate of Military Pensions in 1974, pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors while introducing measures to improve service delivery.
“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,” he said.
He explained that his administration would leverage modern technology, strengthen collaboration with the Services and improve the identification of beneficiaries to facilitate the timely processing and payment of pensions and other benefits.
The chairman also identified capacity building for Board personnel and effective engagement with critical stakeholders, including the Defence Headquarters, Service Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, National Assembly Committees on Defence and relevant government financial institutions, as key components of his reform agenda.
Osifo further pledged to prioritise staff welfare, professional development and ethical standards, noting that a well-trained and motivated workforce was essential to achieving the Board’s objectives.
He assured veterans and families of deceased personnel that his administration would work to improve their experience in accessing their entitlements.
“I assure you that under my watch as Chairman-MPB our veterans and family members of deceased personnel will have cause to smile,” he said.
The new chairman called on officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the Board to demonstrate commitment, discipline and teamwork, describing the repositioning of the institution as a collective responsibility.
He also pledged to provide fair and equitable leadership, create an enabling environment for personnel to develop their capabilities and lead by personal example.
Osifo expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for finding him worthy of the appointment, while acknowledging the Chief of Defence Staff and the Minister of Defence for accepting his nomination.
He also paid tribute to former chairmen of the Board for laying the foundation for its development, particularly his predecessor, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, whom he described as his course mate, brother and friend of 36 years.
In his farewell remarks, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem thanked the officers, men, women and civilian staff of the Board for their cooperation, dedication and support throughout his tenure, describing the achievements recorded under his leadership as collective successes.
He urged the personnel to extend the same support and commitment to Osifo, stressing that the Board’s mandate was bigger than any individual and required sustained teamwork to deliver on its responsibility to military pensioners and their next-of-kin.
“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,” Abdulraheem said.
He expressed confidence in his successor and wished him a successful tenure, urging the Board to sustain the values of discipline, innovation, teamwork and service.
Osifo brings extensive military, financial and academic experience to the position. Before his appointment, he served as Director-General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation and previously worked as Deputy Director of Accounts at the Military Pensions Board in 2018.
He also served as the pioneer Chief J8 of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri and held several staff, instructional, command and diplomatic appointments, including Deputy Defence Attaché at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, between 2012 and 2015.
The senior officer holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy, a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Jos and a PhD in Finance from Swiss Management University, Switzerland.
