The Federal Government is set to engage retired military personnel to reclaim ungovern spaces and strengthen national security.
This followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion corps of Commissionaires and Veterans, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to a statement by Deputy Director Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu the Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwa.
Musa said the repositioning of the Nigeria Legion was part of a broader government commitment to ensure that veterans who have served the nation with honour are not left behind but are empowered to live dignified and productive lives after service.
The Minister described the initiative as a deliberate and strategic policy intervention designed to address long-standing structural and operational challenges that have limited the contribution of the defence community to national development.
He described Nigeria Legion as “a critical institution with a proud history of service, sacrifice and patriotism”, noted that it has continued to play important roles in supporting national security and veterans affairs, and that evolving socio-economic realities makes it imperative to reform and reposition the corps for greater relevance and sustainability.
Musa advocated for a strategic shift from an over-reliance on military offensive to a more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable approach to national security adding that while military operations remain indispensable, enduring peace and stability can only be achieved by addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that enable insecurity to persist.
The committee has three (3) Terms of Reference, which include: To reposition the veteran community to support national economic development; To deploy veterans to secure Ungoverned Spaces and ensure that the areas are brought under effective oversight and development; and To reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans reintegration and promote their contribution to national security.
The Minister urged members of the committee to adopt innovative, practical and forward looking approaches that reflect contemporary realities, “gathering and foster trust between communities and the state.”
The membership of the committee were drawn from the Joint Services Department of the ministry, Nigeria Legion, Defence headquarters, Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Air force as well as representatives from Offices of the Honourable Minister of Defence and Honourable Minister of State Defence.
