Nigerian Legion Wants N500m Pledge Redeemed

The Nigerian Legion has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeem the N500m pledge made to it as soon as possible to enable it to survive.

The Acting National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Major V. O. Abiola (rtd), who appealed during the Nigerian Legion National Council meeting in Abuja, said the Legion’s management is assiduously working through the relevant federal government agencies to ensure this and other pledges are redeemed.

He said efforts are on to diversify and enhance the Nigerian Legion’s income base as it has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with reputable firms to source funds for veterans’ welfare programmes that would ameliorate the sufferings of veterans.

According to him, earning opportunities would be created to close the “expectation gap between the pensions of veterans and the purchasing power parity of their incomes.”

While advocating for realistic and sustainable pension reform, the Acting National Chairman said the Legion is seeking support from all for crucial initiatives aimed at addressing the financial realities faced by veterans, some of whom are incapacitated.

The Nigerian Legion National Council meeting is expected to elect a substantive National Chairman to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former National Chairman Major General AM Jibril (Rtd), who is now the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board(CDCFIB).