Morenike grace Henry: We ‘re reforming legion for legionnaires, family of dead heroes
BY MOHAMMED MOHAMMED
The Nigerian Legion has pledged to make the body a non-service dominated or army dominated establishment even as it says the association shall not be affiliated to or connected directly or indirectly with any political party or organization.
The Director of Corporate Affairs of the Legion, Mrs. Morenike Grace Henry said the current management of the NL led by the National Chairman Brig. Gen. Adakole Jones Akpa (rtd) has introduced a lot of reforms that are consistent with accelerated development and inclusiveness among the three other Services.
The disclosure was made at a special service to commemorate the 2021-Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
She said: “The desire to make NL a non –service dominated or Army dominated establishment prompted the continuous nomination of other services, in line with the objective of the Legion to constitute in a democratic and non –sectarian manner, an association of persons who have served in the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air force to ensure that the association shall not be affiliated to or connected directly or indirectly with any political party or other political organization.’’
She explained that NL was for all ex-service men and that they needed not to have served for a particular number of years to be regarded as a Legionnaire, neither did they have to qualify for pension to be regarded as a member of the NL.
She said no dues must be paid to qualify as a member, while she encouraged potential members to log in and register on the NL platform.
The Headquarters of Nigerian Legion has been organized into 5 functional directorates to take care of the expectations of veterans and families of the dead heroes.
We partner with notable initiative that benefits veterans and families.
On 12th October 2020, the Defence Headquarters launched the Military Widows Association (NIWA) and the NL supported and participated in the successful outing of this initiative. She said.
The Director said that in line with the function and Act of NL to ensure that decent employment was given to would be interested veterans, the NL kept going into partnership with various private driven organizations that have promised to give up to 40% strength in their organization to Legionnaires.
She said emphatically that the partnership has begun and the results would soon be felt by veterans.
She hinted that Nigerian Legion through its establishment Act has the power to canvass for and collect donations on any occasion , especially during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations and monies realized at any time would be utilized for its intended purpose.