The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a policy
allowing families of personnel who die in the line of duty to continue
receiving salary payments for up to 12 months.
The welfare initiative was announced by the Chief of
the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, as part of efforts to
strengthen support for the families of fallen service members.
A senior NAF official, speaking anonymously on Sunday
in Abuja, explained that the policy enables spouses or next of kin of Air Force
personnel killed in action to continue receiving salaries after death.
“Under existing public service rules, salary payments
typically stop immediately after a personnel member’s death,” the official
said. “This new policy allows salaries to continue for up to 12 months from the
date of death, or until all death benefits and entitlements are fully processed
and paid, whichever comes first.”
The initiative is designed to cushion the financial
impact on bereaved families during the period it takes to complete
administrative procedures related to death benefits.
The Chief of the Air Staff has also approved
additional welfare packages for officers, airmen, and airwomen to address
prevailing economic pressures and reinforce the NAF’s commitment to personnel
wellbeing.
“These measures form part of a broader welfare reform
agenda anchored on the understanding that the wellbeing of personnel and their
families is a strategic enabler of combat effectiveness,” the official added.
“Enhanced welfare drives effective warfare, ensuring
that no airman is left unequipped, untrained, or unmotivated,” he noted.
The policy underscores the Air Force’s commitment to
honouring the sacrifices of personnel who lose their lives in service while
ensuring their families receive adequate support.
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