President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of the Security Debarment Allowance for retired military personnel.

The President also approved the creation of the Veterans Department in the Ministry of Defence as part of the ongoing reforms.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana announced these in his maiden interaction with Defence Correspondences in Abuja since the assumption of duty four weeks ago.

He said the Ministry of Defense was undergoing a reform to take the shape of the Pentagon in the United States of America.

The Military Veterans, under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans, had embarked on a nationwide protest with a vow to disrupt the celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15 but suspended the protest following the intervention of the Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi.

But the retired military personnel vowed to resume their suspended protest over the non-payment of their Security Debarment Allowance.

The Permanent Secretary said the ministry despite the economic downturn enjoys 100 per cent budget funding from the government.

Recently, the President unanimously approved the debarment allowance for all veterans.

The Permanent Secretary also announced that the Ministry would reform its Health services to personnel and veterans as well as the educational sector for better welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.