CFWS&FHSF, GUARD TIME INFORMATION SIGN PACT TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF WOUNDED TROOPS AND FAMILIES OF FALLEN HEROES

CFWS&FHSF, GUARD TIME INFORMATION SIGN PACT TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF WOUNDED TROOPS AND FAMILIES OF FALLEN HEROES
By prince Benson Davies
A new partnership has been formed to strengthen advocacy, welfare support, and public awareness for Nigeria’s wounded servicemen and the families of fallen heroes across the military and paramilitary services. The Centre for Wounded Servicemen and Fallen Heroes Support Fund has entered a strategic collaboration with Guard Time Information to push for better protection of rights, timely benefits, and sustained humanitarian intervention.

The agreement was announced at the Centre’s headquarters in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Complex, Abuja, by the Executive Secretary of CFWS&FHSF, Mr. Ezekiel Adi, and the Chairman of Guard Time Information, Comrade Bibi Oduku.

Mr. Adi said the partnership is aimed at building a more coordinated platform to address long-standing welfare gaps affecting personnel who have served or are currently serving in Nigeria’s security institutions. He noted that many officers and their families have not fully accessed entitlements and support due to them, and that the collaboration will focus on closing those gaps through advocacy, policy engagement, and direct support programmes.

He added that the initiative will also promote core national values such as peace, unity, patriotism, integrity, and selfless service, while ensuring that the sacrifices of servicemen are properly recognized and supported throughout their lives and beyond.

Comrade Oduku, on his part, restated GTI’s commitment to defending the rights of all citizens, with special emphasis on members of the armed forces and paramilitary agencies who bear the burden of securing Nigeria’s borders, waterways, and internal peace. He said those who risk their lives in national service deserve prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, healthcare, insurance, and other statutory benefits without delay.

He pledged that Guard Time Information will take up legitimate cases involving unpaid pensions, delayed gratuities, and other welfare concerns affecting both serving and retired personnel. According to him, the organization will work through lawful channels to ensure accountability and improved treatment for those in uniform.

Beyond welfare advocacy, the two bodies agreed to roll out nationwide sensitization and enlightenment campaigns. The programmes will focus on non-violence, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, drug abuse prevention, and crime reduction within military and paramilitary formations, barracks, and affiliated institutions.

A key component of the campaign will target children of security personnel. The organizations expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, and internet fraud among youths, describing the trend as a threat to national security and future development. They said special education drives will be conducted to equip young people with information to make responsible choices and stay away from social vices.

To achieve wider impact, CFWS&FHSF and GTI said they will work with government agencies, security institutions, civil society groups, schools, faith-based organizations, and development partners. The goal, they stated, is to strengthen moral values, promote responsible citizenship, and reduce the influence of drugs and crime in communities.

Mr. Adi commended Comrade Oduku and Guard Time Information for their consistent work in human rights protection, humanitarian service, and support for vulnerable Nigerians. He urged the organization to sustain and expand its interventions across the country.

In his response, Comrade Oduku assured that the collaboration will remain focused on ensuring dignity, justice, and welfare for wounded servicemen, families of fallen heroes, retirees, and active personnel. He emphasized that no legitimate entitlement should be owed to those who have given their service to the nation.

Both organizations called on government institutions, security agencies, corporate bodies, and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at improving the lives of veterans, wounded troops, and the dependents of those who paid the ultimate price in service to Nigeria. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to justice, accountability, peace, and human dignity.