By Philip Nwosu
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Alexander Ogomudia has called on the government and Nigerians to support the Nigerian military in defeating insurgents around the country.
General Ogomudia, who spoke on the sidelines of the Veterans Day celebration in Lagos, said the Nigerian military, as it stands today, can handle the problems of insurgency, but they need more support from the public and the government to win the war against insurgents in the North-East.
He urged veterans to do more within their powers to stay alive and enjoy their retirement, calling on serving military officers to prepare for their retirement while in service by ensuring they save resources that will enable them to set up businesses after retirement.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, Mr Akeem Wolimoh, also called on the government to prioritise the welfare of military veterans and their families in national policies.
Wolimoh emphasised the need for sustained support and recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families.
“The Nigerian Legion is an organisation established to take care of military veterans and foster comradeship among ex-servicemen, which is one of the reasons we organised this event,” he said.
He highlighted key areas requiring urgent government intervention, including healthcare, education, training, and housing for the families of ex-servicemen.
“Ex-servicemen do not have enough time to take care of their families while on active duty due to the demands of their job. Therefore, we should have well-packaged medical provisions for their families as well as quality education for their children to secure their future,” he added.
Wolimoh also urged the government to increase allowances for the families of military veterans and fallen heroes, citing the rising cost of living as a major challenge.
“The present allowance is not sufficient, especially for the widows and orphans of our fallen heroes. These families receive entitlements after the demise of their benefactors, but no matter the amount released, it is usually not enough,” he said.
The Nigerian Legion chairman also underscored the role of ex-servicemen in national security, stating that their experience in intelligence and regimented service could complement the efforts of security agencies.
“The most valuable asset of ex-servicemen is their security intelligence, which they have gathered over the years while in service. Their exposure to regimented activities makes them capable of contributing significantly to community security,” he said.
Addressing concerns about impersonators within the Nigerian Legion, Wolimoh revealed that a revalidation exercise was introduced in 2022 to weed out fake members engaging in illegal activities.
“The proliferation of fake members in the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissioners existed before we assumed office. However, with the ongoing revalidation exercise, we are identifying and removing fake members while ensuring only genuine legionaries are recognised,” he explained.
The Nigerian Legion continues to advocate for the welfare of military veterans and their families while working to strengthen its role in national security.