By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Legion has called for stronger partnership with the American Legion to modernise veterans’ welfare and reform the Nigerian Legion Act of 1964.
Ms Grace Henry, National Chairman, National Council of the Nigerian Legion, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
Henry led a Nigerian Legion delegation to the 107th American Legion National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
She said that the engagement was aimed at adapting global best practices in veterans’ administration to improve welfare services for Nigerian ex-servicemen and their families.
According to her, the partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen veterans’ housing, medical care, post-service transition programmes and other support systems.
Henry said collaboration with the American Legion could provide a roadmap for reviewing the Nigerian Legion Act of 1964.
She said the proposed reform would replace outdated structures with a modern veterans’ administration system capable of responding to contemporary needs.
“The amendment will transition the organisation from colonial-era structures to a modern veteran care system,” she said.
The national chairman said the reform would strengthen support for ex-servicemen, wounded veterans and families of fallen heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice for the country.
She said the Nigerian Legion’s participation in the convention would also contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and military relations with the United States.
Henry said the engagement would ensure that the sacrifices of Nigerian veterans were not only honoured domestically but also recognised internationally.
The delegation, she said. was received by Pam Ray, National President of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Doug Collins, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, among other officials.
She said the engagement aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on international military partnerships, institutional reforms and improved welfare for Armed Forces veterans. (NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza