President Bola Tinubu has launched a dedicated welfare fund for wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes, committing his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative.

The President announced the fund on Sunday to mark his 74th birthday, describing it as a practical step to honour the sacrifice, courage and service of members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

He directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for the scheme, which will provide targeted support to personnel injured in the line of duty, as well as widows, widowers and children of those who lost their lives defending the country.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, quoted Tinubu as saying that his decision to donate his salaries underscores a personal commitment to ensuring that those who have borne the burden of the nation’s security are not forgotten.

The President called on state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the fund, noting that further details of its structure and operation would be unveiled in due course.

He emphasised that caring for military personnel and their families is a solemn national obligation that must not be left to existing welfare frameworks alone.

According to him, supporting troops and their families is not an act of charity but a duty owed to those who risk their lives in defence of the nation.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of service personnel, stressing that their sacrifices must be matched with dignity, care and sustained support.

Meanwhile, prominent Islamic leaders and traditional rulers on Sunday offered special prayers for President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s peace and progress as he marked his 74th birthday.

The prayer session, held at the National Mosque, was led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, alongside other emirs and Islamic scholars from across the country.

President Tinubu arrived at the mosque shortly after 3:00 pm, where he joined the special prayers and later observed the Asr prayer with Muslim faithful before departing.

The gathering, which attracted governors, ministers, political leaders and worshippers, focused on supplications for divine guidance, wisdom, good health and strength for the President as he leads the country.

Speaking at the event, the Etsu Nupe described the occasion as a solemn spiritual exercise rather than a celebration, stressing the need for sustained prayers for national peace, unity and development.

He also appealed for greater government support for the maintenance of the National Mosque.

In his remarks, the Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yamusa, commended the President’s efforts to address economic challenges and support subnational governments, noting that interventions in salary payments and infrastructure development were already yielding positive outcomes, particularly in Nasarawa State.