By John Ikani
Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Saturday led principal officers of the red chamber on a visit to wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna State.
The entourage of the Senate President included, the Majority Leader, Sen. Yahaya Abdulllahi, Chief Whip, Dr Orji Uzo Kalu, Sen. Danjuma Laah and Sen. Abdu Kwari among others.
The federal lawmakers joined by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, went round the hospital wards where the wounded soldiers were being treated.
The visit was part of activities marking the second anniversary of the 9th Assembly.
Lawan, who pledged adequate funding for the armed forces, donated N10 million to the wounded soldiers.
He commended the soldiers for sacrificing their lives for the integrity of their fatherland
While advocating for more resources to cater for the need of soldiers wounded in action, Lawan stressed that any military in the world was a reflection of the nature of investment on it by its country.
He assured that the National Assembly would expeditiously treat the Armed forces supplementary budget as soon as it resumes from the anniversary recess, adding that the 2022 appropriation would provide more resources for the Armed forces.
Briefing the lawmakers, the General officer Commanding One Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi and the Chief Medical Director of the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Colonel Stephen Oluchukwu said some of the wounded soldiers lost their arms, legs and sight as a result of the severe injuries they sustained in the battlefield.
They disclosed that some of the victims were responding to treatment, while many others sustained permanent injuries that have rendered them incapacitated.
The Acting Chief Medica Director of the hospital, Col. Steven Onuchukwu said the visit would serve as a morale booster, especially as the military intensified the fight against insurgency in the country.
