The Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council, has sought the support of the state government in improving their welfare and relevance in the state.
The Chairman of the council, Dr Emeka Igwesi, made the request during the unveiling of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, on Tuesday. Igwesi reiterated the sacrifices of members of the legion in the defence of the country, and called for institutional support to reciprocate their patriotism in service of their fatherland.
According to him, “The Nigerian Armed Forces have at various times engaged in a number of military operations and activities, some within and outside the country. In all those military operations, a good number of the soldiers paid supreme sacrifices. We are making a passionate appeal to the state to help in realising certain mandates of the military retirees’ body. We appeal to the state to look further into our plights. These include donation of vehicles to the military veterans’ body and fully integrating us in the activities of the state.
“We also appeal for monthly subventions to the military veterans in Enugu State as it is in some states of the federation to enable us to cope with our objectives. Others are offering of scholarships to indigent children and orphans of our fallen and living heroes, empowering our widows and enabling quota to military veterans during state pilgrimages to make these elder statesmen feel a fulfilled life.”
Igwesi further pleaded with Gov Mbah to utilise the wealth of experience of members of the Legion, noting that “the military veterans are highly disciplined and experienced, and many are still strong and young to contribute towards the development of the state”. The veterans also solicited the intervention of the state in recovering pledges made to them by some individuals and corporate bodies.
The chairman described Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration as an annual event set aside in memory of the fallen heroes and heroines who laid down their lives in the service of their fatherland. He said it is also a period to keep faith with the dependants they left behind, as well as to honour living heroes, “particularly those who were wounded in wars, the maimed, aged, sick and bedridden”. It is further a period “to enliven the spirit of our gallant men and women who are still in active service,” he said.
Mbah, represented by his Deputy, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, acknowledged the sacrifices of ex-military officers in serving the country. He told them to articulate how they could be engaged by the state and forward it to the state.
Quoting Mbah, “Your selfless sacrifice secures our democracy, strengthens our ability to serve and govern. It protects our integrity, ensuring that each of us is able to explore and exploit our God-given talent and ensuring its possibility.”
The Acting Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, regretted the inability of some people to redeem their pledges to the legion. He encouraged them to follow up. Nwoye said “at times those who pledged might forget, but constant reminders would make them redeem their pledges”.
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