The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife on Tuesday, January 26, received leadership of the Biafran war veterans who visited her constituency office in Awka.

Biafran war veterans were military men who fought on the Biafran side during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. They were led to the Senator’s office by their Nationwide Commander, General Osita Osai.

Senator Ekwunife who had been interfacing with her constituents for the better part of the week, received the veterans who came to appreciate her for positively addressing their letter which sought her intervention on their request from the Federal Government.

Speaking during the meeting, General Osita Osai, appreciated Senator Ekwunife for standing tall in the National Assembly and representing her people effectively. He stated that the veterans were thankful over the steps she had taken towards addressing their request from Government and appealed to her to give them the necessary support in their struggle to be paid the benefits due to them.

Also re-echoing the same concern, the Spokesman of the group, Major General Peter Igboka said that the veterans have put in so much efforts to see that they receive the money meant to settle their gratuities and pension from the Federal Government without much success. He lamented that some of their counterparts in other geopolitical zones have received the Five Million Naira approved by the United Nations for each surviving soldier of the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War except soldiers from the South East. A situation he stated has brought untold hardship to their colleagues, sending many to their early graves.

Reacting to their visit, Ekwunife reiterated that even though her responsibility as a Legislator is to make laws for peace, order and good governance, she consider it necessary to utilize the opportunities available to her office to impact on human lives. She stated that the government has a responsibility to take care of the veterans most of whom are aged and are in need of proper medical care.

Speaking further, the Federal Lawmaker stated that she was very much committed to pursuing the cause of the veterans whom she noted deserve to be taken care of by both the Federal and State governments. She assured that she will rally her colleagues from the South East to speak with one voice over their predicament.

Other members of the group present include, Major Gen Obiefuna Paulinus and Lieutenant Gen. Micheal Akonobi.