President Bola Tinubu has approved  $20,000 foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs and cooks, among other benefits, as a retirement package for service chiefs and generals, which the Nigerian Medical Association, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors faulted, The PUNCH reports.

According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 14, 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs are entitled to a bulletproof SUV or its equivalent as a retirement package.

The vehicle would be replaced every four years and maintained by the military.  This is in addition to a Peugeot 508 or an equivalent vehicle as backup.

The retired generals will also enjoy a range of other luxurious benefits, including domestic aides and residential guards upon retirement.

While those who retire as lieutenant generals and their equivalents will enjoy international and local medical treatment worth up to $20,000 annually, the benefits for the CDS and the service chiefs were not specified, but it is believed that theirs would be significantly higher.

In addition, they will be assigned a special assistant or personal assistant, three service drivers, and a service orderly, with escorts provided as necessary by relevant military units.

Also, each retiring service chief will also be provided with five domestic aides, comprising two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener, along with an aide-de-camp or security officer.

The HTCOS read, “Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs: The following benefits shall be applicable: One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years. One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.

‘’Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).

“Three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/ formation as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (on his demise, the personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant service) and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”

For other senior officers such as lieutenant generals and equivalents, they are entitled to two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards and two drivers.

The document stated, “Lieutenant generals and equivalents will receive two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers.

“Retirement benefits for lieutenant general/equivalents. The following benefits shall be applicable: Officers of three-star rank. Two Toyota Hilux Vehicles or one Toyota Land cruiser or equivalent jeep of the same value; two Cooks; two Stewards; four residential guards; one service orderly; two service drivers and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $20,000 per year.”

The Federal Government also approved for major generals and brigadier generals a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 annual medical treatment, domestic staff, and residential guards.

One-star officers are expected to receive $10,000 annually for medical care, a Toyota Camry or equivalent and similar domestic and security arrangements.

The HTCOS further read, “For major-generals/brigadier-generals and equivalents, the following benefits shall be applicable: One Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent car of the same value.

“One cook; One steward, two residential guards; One service orderly; One driver; Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of $15,000 per annum.

“Officers of One-Star rank (Brig. Gen.): One Toyota Camry or equivalent car of the same value; One service driver; two residential guards; One orderly and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $10,000  per annum.’’

Colonels and their equivalents are to get a Toyota Corolla or its equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.

The President of the NMA, Prof Bala Audu, emphasised that any retirement benefits received by government officials should be invested within Nigeria.

Speaking on the upgraded perks for the military brass, the NMA president noted, “If they want to give them government-benefited medical treatment, cooks, or whatever, I think they should give them all their benefits in Nigeria, that is what I believe.’’

“Whoever wants to receive benefits, whether service chiefs or Mr. President, it should be in Nigeria, and not abroad,’’ he insisted.

President of MDCAN, Prof Muhammad Muhammad, demanded that the Nigerian healthcare system should be transformed to cater to Nigerians’ healthcare needs.

“My main concern is not what they are giving, but the fact that it is made official that the medical treatment has to be abroad. When, in fact, in most situations, when they go out, it’s Nigerian doctors that they are going to meet. So, in that situation, we need to make sure they are taking good care of the Nigerian healthcare providers,’’ he said.

He added that the decision to make provision for foreign treatment for the retired officers signalled a lack of confidence in the local health sector.

“This also means that the government does not have confidence in the Nigerian healthcare system. So, they have to make sure that whatever level of care they receive abroad, we also have it in Nigeria because that is what is going to make Nigerians continue to have confidence in the healthcare system and the healthcare providers in Nigeria. So, my main concern is not what was allocated, but the fact that it is made official that the treatment will be abroad.

“That means the government itself is not comfortable and is not happy with what is available in the Nigerian hospitals for the care of Nigerians,” he added.

While acknowledging that the retirement package for service chiefs, judges, and politicians is not new, the medical expert insisted that the well-being of Nigerians and healthcare professionals should also be prioritised.

“And then likewise, they need to increase budgetary provisions to upgrade our hospitals and other healthcare institutions and training centres so that Nigerians who may not necessarily have to go out of the country will be able to get the requisite healthcare service that they require,” he recommended.

On his part, NARD president, Dr Tope Osundara, noted that medical tourism is the bane of the health sector, stressing the need to address it urgently.

“The treatment they go abroad to get can be gotten here in Nigeria. Besides, what is stopping the government from providing state-of-the-art equipment in our hospitals or upgrading the hospitals?

“It’s not like we don’t have Nigerian doctors who can do some of the things they travel abroad to do, but unfortunately, rather than prioritise our health system, equip the hospitals and make it efficient, we would rather spend the money elsewhere, thereby improving their economy.

 “We should rather pump money into our health system, and this money will find a way to circulate. By the time you are pumping money into it, and people are taking advantage, it will give a return on investment. But it seems that the focus of the government is elsewhere rather than majoring on what is essential in Nigeria.

“I appreciate the Coordinating Minister, Prof Muhammad Pate, who is also trying to do everything they can to improve the health system, but there is a limit to what a minister can do.

“We need a paradigm shift concerning reforms in the health sector. It still lies with the executive arm of government to ensure that the priorities are not focused on medical treatment abroad, but we should internalise treatment and make it local,” he said.

The Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, described the development as “alarming”, noting the hardship faced by Nigerians, adding that the extravagant retirement benefits raised concerns about the priorities of the government.

He also questioned whether the service chiefs had done enough to deserve the packages while calling on the citizens to challenge such policies.

Odeh stated, “It is alarming that service chiefs are set to receive $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs, and personal staff as part of their retirement package. At a time when Nigeria faces economic hardship, such extravagance raises serious concerns about the government’s priorities.

‘’Millions of Nigerians struggle with poverty and failing public services, yet resources are being funnelled into luxuries for a select few. Does Nigeria truly have this kind of money to play around with?”

Odeh queried the wisdom behind the retirement perks citing the inability of the armed forces to address the insecurity plaguing the country.

He added, “The justification for these perks is questionable. For over 12 years, insecurity has ravaged the country, with insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and violence leaving a trail of destruction. While there have been some gains, they are uneven and insufficient.

‘’Have the service chiefs done enough to deserve such packages, especially when insecurity persists in many regions in a country where military procurement details are never public and allegedly, corruption sits deep in these budgets?

“This policy reflects deeper issues in governance. It sends a troubling signal that public resources can be lavishly spent on elites, regardless of performance.

“Citizens and the media must challenge such policies that always hide behind national security, and demand a focus on the greater good. While insecurity has marginally reduced in some areas, it is far from enough to justify rewarding leaders with excessive perks,” he stated.

The Executive Director of the Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre, Okechukwu Nwaguma, pointed out that the retirement benefits reflected “a troubling disconnect between government actions and the realities faced by citizens”, adding that the justification for such perks was questionable.

He noted, “The Nigerian government’s decision to grant excessive retirement perks to military leaders amid the current economic hardship reflects a troubling disconnect between government actions and the realities faced by citizens.

“It raises significant concerns regarding government prioritization and fairness. The lavish retirement benefits of military leaders contrast sharply with the struggles faced by the majority of citizens dealing with insecurity, unemployment, and inflation.

“This disparity can deepen public disenchantment with the government, as it appears more focused on rewarding elites than addressing the needs of ordinary people.”

Nwaguma said the decision may reinforce the perception that the Tinubu government favoured elite interests, fostering public alienation.

“It raises questions about the fairness of resource allocation during times of crisis. This situation highlights the need for improved governance that reflects the will and welfare of the people. Citizens expect their leaders to demonstrate empathy and responsibility.

“For lasting stability and public trust, the government should align its policies with the socioeconomic realities of the populace and prioritise security and social welfare initiatives,” he added.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has described defending the current administration as one of the simplest tasks for anyone well-versed in governmental operations.

Speaking during Monday’s edition of Politics Today on Channels Television, Bwala addressed the speculation surrounding his new portfolio, dismissing claims that it represented a demotion.

“I have never been demoted. I have an absolutely good relationship with the president, and I’m happy doing my job,” Bwala stated.

The former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council shared his approach to defending the government’s policies.

According to him, clarity, honesty, and thorough research are key.

“To defend this government, in my view, is the easiest thing to do because you speak to facts, be honest with Nigerians, and then be ready to counter any negative narrative or agenda-driven narrative.

“So, once these three things are very clear to you and you have done your research, it is very easy,” he said.

The Secretary to the Sokoto state Government Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Sifawa yesterday lost a daughter and 3 of her children as a result of a fire incident in the early hours of Monday.

The Deceased was a housewife to the Permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Sports and Youths Development Alhaji Muhammadu Yusuf Bello.

The fire which started in the wee hours of the night engulfed the entire house while the family were sleeping, in which only her husband survived.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation as men of the state fire service battled for hours before they brought the fire down.

The remains of the deceased housewife and her 3 children are slated for burial at Sheikh Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo Mosque Sifawa at about midnight today at the family home of the SSG who is a father to the Deceased housewife.

Already the state deputy Governor Eng Idris Mohammed Gobir, Members of the state executive council, APC stalwarts, friends and well-wishers have been trooping to Sifawa for burial rites and condolence.

The Obidient Movement has expressed concern over what it describes as a reckless attack on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.

The movement was particularly concerned about recent comments made by Felix Morka, the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Publicity Secretary, on Arise TV on January 5, 2025.

The APC mouthpiece had said that Obi has “crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.”

The Obidient Movement, in a statement signed by Dr Yunusa Tanko, said it considered this a direct threat to Obi’s life and the peace of the Nigerian state.

The Obidient Movement said it views the statement as not only an attack on the vocal 2023 LP presidential candidate but also a dangerous signal of the country’s descent into authoritarianism under Tinubu’s administration.

“Such a declaration from the spokesperson of the ruling party is reckless, unbecoming, and a blatant endorsement of violence,” the statement added.

In the statement on Monday, the Obidient Movement demanded to know the line crossed by Peter Obi and who drew the line.

Obidient also said they want to know under what authority the line was drawn and the specific statements or actions of Obi that justify the statement coming from the ruling party.

The movement demanded to know, “What exactly is coming to Peter Obi?”

It accused the Tinubu administration of choosing repression over dialogue, intimidation over engagement, and threats over democratic discourse.

“We categorically state that if any harm befalls Mr Peter Obi, his family, or anyone associated with him, the Nigerian government and its agents will be held directly responsible,” the statement said.

It also called on Nigerians and the international community to take note of the pattern the ruling party has allegedly adopted and hold those in power accountable.

“We urge the security services to not sweep such threats under the carpet as they have done in previous times but engage Mr Morka to elucidate on his utterance.”

Earlier, Peter Obi had cried out, alleging that his life is now under threat because of his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The ruling All Progressives Congress and supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, engaged themselves in a war of words on Monday over an alleged threat to the life of the former Anambra State governor.

The hostility was a fallout of Sunday’s interview on Arise Television, where the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, claimed that the former Anambra governor had “crossed the line” in his recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

An emotional Morka claimed that Obi was desperately seeking to incite Nigerians into bringing down the current government.

The APC spokesman subsequently ended his argument with a subtle threat of “he has coming to him whatever he gets.”

He said, “Mr Obi is shooting from the hip. He is not looking or taking an aim. He just shoots widely like the Wild Wild West movies we used to see back in the day. He is absolutely irrational in his thinking about a man who was governor for eight years and left nothing to remember in Anambra State by way of legacy.

“Now that he didn’t win, he is sulking. Rather than get a perspective or figure out why he lost so he can do better in the future, he thinks he can bring down the government by simply being maliciously deceptive. That is wrong.

“I am not somebody to go on the offensive in that manner, but Mr Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times, and I think that at this point, he has come to him whatever he gets.”

Reacting in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, warned the APC against intimidating Obi, his family members or close associates, insisting that such a threat should not be allowed to go unaddressed.

The former spokesman of the Obi presidential campaign council also warned against any attempt to arrest his principal, adding that Nigerians would call for the head of the ruling party.

He said, “That is a threat. If they make the move (to arrest Obi), it will boomerang on their government. In a democratic setting, Obi did not in any way impugn anybody’s integrity, nor did he cross any line. We are not making any false allegations.

“But if they threaten anybody with some level of impunity, believe me, the Nigerian people will react negatively to them. They must learn to accept it. If they have a counter-allegation to the issues we are raising, they should be provided with facts.

“Obi only spoke to the issue that concerns every Nigerian, which he has a right to. So, what this simply means is that what we have been accusing them of, gagging, arresting and then maiming people to the level of intimidation and impunity, is what they are planning to administer on Nigerians starting from this January just because people have spoken against bad governance.”

Speaking further, the Labour Party chieftain called on security agents not to allow the APC spokesman’s threat to slide without proper investigation.

According to him, the Obidient Movement will not be cowed into silence by the ruling APC government.

He said, “We stand firmly with Peter Obi and his vision for a just, equitable and prosperous Nigeria. We call on Nigerians to resist this slide into authoritarianism by continuing to demand accountability, justice and the protection of democratic values. Finally, we urge the security services to not sweep such threats under the carpet as they had done in previous times but engage Mr Morka to elucidate on his utterance.

“Furthermore, the ruling party called to order their mouthpiece and members at large to desist from actions that could heat up the polity. In addition, the government of the day should foster an environment of noble ideas to shape our national discourse and not threats. They must be seen to be tolerant of criticism.

“The level of impunity and attack they put on the previous government of the PDP was worse than this and they are getting less of that criticism in their own government. So, criticising them is a way of uplifting the standards of our democracy. We Nigerians have the right as covered under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to speak to issues.”

Similarly, Obi also reacted to the threat made by the APC spokesman, saying he would not be silenced for speaking truth to power.

Reacting via his official X handle, Obi wondered how a harmless New Year message he gave could elicit a threat from the APC spokesman.

“Have I really crossed the line? I ask the question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me. While I have received all sorts of messages, one Mr Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of “crossing the line” and has warned that I will face the consequences.

“I find it necessary to share this message again and urge everyone who has not seen it to watch. If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices.

“We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed. May God help us create a better and freer society for the sake of our children,” he stated.

However, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, expressed disappointment over the manner Obi’s supporters and loyalists went about the issue.

While asserting that Morka neither threatened nor insulted anyone in the said interview, Ibrahim urged the former governor to call his supporters to order.

“They are taking politics to a different level. By now, having come this far, we should be playing politics without bitterness. We shouldn’t be playing the kind of politics that will reduce us from human beings to lower animals. There is nothing threatening, insulting or harmful in what my boss, Mr Felix Morka, said in response to Peter Obi’s remark.

“There is nothing, depending on how you look at it. If you look at the content upside down or sideways, either way, you look at it, there is nothing to warrant the kind of social media bombardment and threats sent in the direction of the national publicity secretary. The Obidients have to revisit their conscience and understand the main intention of opposition in politics.

“It’s not supposed to be a show of insult and threats. No, we should be playing politics of maturity. I expect someone like Peter Obi, who was a governor for two terms and who has been on the political scene for a long time, to caution his supporters against using threats and language that are capable of derailing the meaning of democracy.”

When contacted, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, denied knowledge of the incident.

Aadejobi said he wasn’t aware and thus couldn’t tell if there was a threat to Obi and Morka’s life or not.

“I’m not aware of what you are saying. Has he informed us?” Adejobi queried.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, has announced January 31, 2025, as the tentative date for the passage of the ₦49.7tn 2025 budget.

This comes as the committee prepares to commence budget defence sessions on Tuesday.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting with the chairmen of key committees, Olamilekan outlined the framework for the 2025 Budget Defence Session, designed to guide the legislative process leading to the budget’s enactment.

He noted that following the Senate’s resumption of plenary on January 14, 2025, there will be a two-week recess dedicated to continuing the budget defence process seamlessly.

A retreat is also scheduled for Thursday, bringing together ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to provide additional consultation and insights into the budget proposal.

According to the timeline, committees are expected to report back with their findings between January 15 and 18.

This will allow the Appropriation Committee to collate and finalise the documents for consideration.

Highlighting the tight schedule, Olamilekan urged lawmakers to prioritise the budget process over their holidays, stressing the need for prompt and diligent work to ensure the budget is passed within the stipulated timeframe.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation after nine years in office, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader after months of slumping polls and internal division.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader,” Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit.

It was not immediately clear how long Trudeau will remain in office as a caretaker premier.

He said the Liberal leadership race will be “a robust, nationwide competitive process.”

That means Trudeau will continue to lead Canada when incoming US president Donald Trump takes office this month and will be tasked with leading the country’s initial response to the new US administration, including a possible trade war.

Trump has vowed to impose 25 percent on all Canadian imports, which could prove devastating to the Canadian economy, and Trudeau has vowed to retaliate.

Trudeau’s support within the Liberal party had been teetering through much of last year but plunged to new depths following the surprise resignation in December of his former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.

In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of focusing on political gimmicks to appease voters, including a costly Christmas tax holiday, instead of steadying Canada’s finances ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs.

Canadian media have tipped Freeland as a possible contender to taker over the Liberal Party along with the former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a Canadian who also previously led the Bank of Canada.

Lori Turnbull, a political science professor at Dalhousie University, said traditionally a Liberal leadership race would take four to six months but this time “they’ve got to be quicker than that.”

“If they don’t have a new leader for the next election, then there’s no point,” she told AFP.

Trudeau’s Liberals are trailing badly in the polls to the opposition Conservatives and narrowly survived three non-confidence votes in parliament late last year.

His minority government had been held up by a deal with the left-wing New Democratic Party but in December the NDP said they would vote to topple Trudeau at the next opportunity.

Trudeau confirmed that he had received permission from Canada’s governor general to suspend all parliamentary business until March 24.

That could could give the Liberals time to choose a new leader while restricting the opposition chances to bring a vote of non-confidence.

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, has assigned portfolios to the newly appointed commissioners, permanent secretaries, and special advisers.

Yusuf asked new appointees, sworn in on Monday, to serve with dedication, integrity, and humility to meet the administration’s expectations.

Wada Sagagi, the former secretary to the state government (SSG), was sworn in as the commissioner for investment, commerce, and industry.

Ismail Danmaraya is the new commissioner for finance; Shehu Sani is the commissioner for power and sustainable energy, while Dahiru Hashim will serve as the commissioner for environment.

Also sworn in were Abdulkadir Abdulsalam (commissioner for rural development), Abdullahi Waiya (information), and Wada Ma’aji (public procurement).

Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesperson to the governor of Kano, said in a statement that Yusuf asked the new cabinet members to rededicate themselves to meeting public expectations.

“I remain fully committed to fulfiling my campaign promises. These appointments therefore reflect our determination to identify and empower individuals who will help us implement policies and programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of our citizens,” the statement reads.

“Over the past months, we have worked tirelessly to address pressing issues, including infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security, empowerment and employment generation for the citizens.

“Today’s appointments and the creation of the Local Government Service Commission further demonstrate our resolve to build a more efficient and people centred government.”

The house of representatives committee on appropriation says the budget defence by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) will begin on Tuesday.

Abubakar Bichi, chairman of the committee, spoke in Abuja on Monday while addressing journalists ahead of the budget defence.

On December 18, President Bola Tinubu presented the proposed 2025 budget of N49.7 trillion to the national assembly.

Tinubu said the proposed budget reinforces his administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for Nigeria.

“This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance,” Tinubu had said.

On December 19, the appropriation bill scaled the second reading at the senate and house of representatives.

After a meeting with members of the committee on Monday, Bichi told journalists that the defence will end on January 17.

He said the reports on the exercise will be presented before the house on January 31.

“We are going to study the budget. All our committees will study the budget. I believe the budget is for Nigerians (and) for our development—infrastructure and other important things—and I am sure Nigerians will be happy with it,” the lawmaker said.

“We just had an integration meeting today for the 2025 appropriation bill. You have been aware that the president has presented the budget to us, and by tomorrow we will start the budget defence by all the MDAs.

“From tomorrow to the 17th, we are going to do our budget defence and we will likely harmonise by the 22nd.”