The National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Henry, has urged the Federal Government to make greater use of the experience and expertise of military veterans in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Henry made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during the 62nd anniversary of the organisation and the celebration of her one year in office as the first female national chairman of the legion. The event was themed “Celebrating 62 Years of Courage, Commitment and Legacy of Nigerian Armed Forces Veterans”.
She noted that retired military personnel possess extensive operational knowledge, discipline, and training acquired over years of service, which could be valuable in strengthening community safety and national security if properly engaged.
According to her, excluding veterans from security efforts amounts to wasting critical national resources, stressing that their experience can be effectively deployed in confronting current insecurity challenges.
Henry called on government and relevant stakeholders to provide adequate empowerment for veterans to enable them participate meaningfully in safeguarding communities across the country.
She also emphasised that improved welfare support, including healthcare, housing, and economic empowerment, would enhance veterans’ capacity to contribute to national development and security.
The chairman urged ex-servicemen and women to remain committed to national service by supporting security efforts within their communities, adding that security requires collective responsibility.
She encouraged veterans to align with government initiatives aimed at improving safety, noting that their role remains vital in addressing insecurity at the grassroots level.
Henry disclosed that the legion had partnered with the Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science to train veterans in disaster response and modern security practices, equipping them with updated skills to handle emergencies effectively.
She explained that the training was designed to refresh their knowledge and prepare them for unexpected security and safety challenges in communities.
The Nigerian Legion, established under the 1964 Act, she said, continues to focus on the welfare of ex-servicemen and women, support for families of fallen heroes, and promotion of unity among veterans nationwide.
Henry added that the organisation has expanded its presence across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, engaging in advocacy, welfare support, remembrance activities, youth empowerment, and community service.
Reflecting on her first year in office, she said efforts have been made to reposition the organisation and improve the living conditions of veterans and widows despite financial constraints.
She outlined her vision to restore dignity, pride, and improved welfare for both living veterans and families of deceased service members.
As part of the anniversary activities, she announced plans to distribute grinding and tailoring machines to 30 widows, while 32 veterans would receive ₦100,000 grants to support small-scale livelihoods.
Henry also reiterated the legion’s opposition to proposals seeking to replace the existing structure with a Veterans Federation of Nigeria, insisting instead on strengthening the current law and creating a dedicated Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
She maintained that the Nigerian Legion remains the only body officially recognised for coordinating the welfare of ex-servicemen and women in the country.
Henry expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for her appointment and acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders in advancing veteran welfare initiatives.
She concluded by reaffirming the legion’s commitment to national service, welfare improvement, and continued support for security and community development efforts across the country.