Nigerian Legion veterans have been called upon to bury their differences until the National Assembly passes the Veterans Federation, Bill, before it.
Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (rtd.)., outgoing Chairman of the Legion, made the call during his valedictory speech at a Veterans Association meeting held at the Legion House Abuja.
A heated debate ensued during the meeting among the various factions of veterans groups under the Legion on whether the Nigerian Legion will cease to exist when the Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN) eventually comes on stream.
The Veterans Federation Bill, which has passed the second reading at the National Assembly, is expected to bring together and serve as an umbrella to all Nigerian veterans, irrespective of affiliation, with some groups insisting on the continued existence of the Nigerian Legion even after the Bill becomes law.
While calling on the factionalised associations to unite, Maj Gen Jibril said their collective wisdom is needed now more than ever because, as custodians of the legacy of service, it is incumbent on them to strengthen their bonds and ties into a formidable network of support and advocacy.
He also said President Bola Tinubu‘s recently introduced harmonised terms of condition of service have generated significant interest. Therefore, he called on veterans to study the document‘s key provisions to ensure their strategies remain relevant, dynamic, and genuinely effective in meeting their needs.
