Nigerian legion to partner military veterans for merit awards
By Friday Obande://
Nigerian Legion and Green Heroes Foundation, (an NGO that advocates military welfare) are set to award former military leaders and deserving officers over their meritorious services to the country.
Speaking on the forthcoming event which will hold on Friday, November 11, 2022, representative of the Chairman of legion, Gen. (retd), stated that the highlight of the event will feature merit awards to former military leaders and deserving ex-soldiers.
at a press conference to mark the maiden opening ceremony of the coalition, representative of Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Major General Shehu Yusuf, announced the highlight of the event which will hold on Friday August 11, 2022, would aside the advocacy for abandoned veteran officers, appreciate former military leaders and other hardworking retired officers.
He explained that those who represent their countries and defend the country gallantly with sorrows, tears and blood are usually accorded hero’s welcome and showered with accolades; recognitions by governments and notable organisations as a way of appreciating their efforts.
“The goal is to create awareness on the travails of the male/female in uniform and the efforts of government and the Armed Forces at providing both exposed to threats and hazards during and after active service.
“Accordingly, we wish to short and long term supports that are deliberately designed to help ex-combatants and their families adjust to new emotional, social and economic realities that are associated with re-entry into the civil society, informed Shehu.”
While recounting the tragic experiences of the Nigerian Civil War from 1967-1970, he commended the Armed Forces for projecting Nigeria’s image positively across the globe.
According to him, the soldiers also fought in Liberia to restore peace; in Sierra Leone to restore democracy and we protected our sovereignty against Cameroon and had been involved in maintaining internal security across our nation. he said.
He said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria had participated in over 40 UN Peace-keeping missions across the globe, but sadly, those who survived the wars to be called war veterans were however left to heal their various scars all alone.”
The former general however, lamented the plight of some of the soldiers whom he said came back with silent injuries of war and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, PTSD, without proper care over the years adequate psychological counseling or retooling after the wars which has ironically added to some of our challenges.
Throwing more light on the event, he quoted former America’s President Abraham Lincoln’s address to his nation in (1865) “Let us strive in to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nations wound and to care for him who shall borne the battle and for his widow and orphans” and President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech to troops in Maiduguri on June 17 2021.
“We owe them a debt of gratitude and that our nation will forever be indebted to our soldiers. He also stated that his administration will spare no effort or resources to ensure that their Widows and orphans are well catered for.”
The event he further noted, would afford the opportunity to appreciate the steadfastness of widows and provide some succor to some orphans.
Most prominent of the awardees for this first edition are Living Military Heroes such as Generals: Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, TY Danjuma, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Others are some ex-soldiers, who participated in previous wars such as the Burma Campaigns, the civil war and some participants of the ECOMOG wars in both Liberia and Sierra-Leone, Nigerian ex-soldiers who fought against each other during the civil war and those that were re-integrated into the AFN to enlighten Nigerians on the need for peaceful co-existence.
Some of the co-hosts present at the conference were amongst others; General Shehu Yusuf ( retd) Air Commodore A.A Balogun, (retd) Lt. ColoneN S.J Debaa, Col. F.O OFodile , MRS Femi Balogun, Princess Ashley Momoh, Mrs. Atinuke Leonard, Mercy Whitney.
