A section of the veterans at the occasion
By Tony Adibe
The Deputy Commandant General and Enugu State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Dr Emeka Norman Igwesi, said that it was unfortunate how certain individuals and corporate organizations would make pledges and promises to the Legion without fulfilling them.
The Deputy Commandant, who is also the National Coordinating Commandant, Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, said this during the official unveiling and launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, on Tuesday.
Igwesi bemoaned the fact that many of the promises made to the veterans by individuals and corporate organisations during emblem launch and the Armed Forces Remembrance Day were usually not fulfilled. He said, “Yearly, we gather here to be part of this emblem launch. Some climb this hallowed podium, addressing Nigerians, make pledges and promises, and end up not redeeming them. It is very unfortunate.”
Igwesi also canvassed for a better utilisation of the skills and experience of the ex-servicemen by the government, emphasising that while they were retired, many of them were not tired yet.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
“Again, military veterans are highly disciplined and experienced persons. Many are still strong to contribute to the development of the state. The body also has its sub-body called Corps of Commissionaires, who are well trained and young and ready to serve, so we call on the state government to make effective use of the retired military men and our members of the Corps of Commissionaires,” he said.
The Deputy Commandant also highlighted other needs such as security vehicles, monthly subvention, offering scholarships to indigent children and orphans of both fallen and living heroes, and empowering widows of servicemen, which he appealed to the governor to look into. He, however, thanked the governor for the support given to the living and fallen heroes, both for their welfare and programmes.
“Your government has been giving us support and we are actually asking them to do more to support the fallen heroes’ project the more they can and also support the project of the living heroes, not necessarily by way of cash, but by introducing programmes and policies that will help the welfare of the military retirees and fallen heroes’ dependants and widows,” Igwesi said.
He lauded Mbah for always living up to his words and for the good governance of Enugu State, which also benefits the ex-servicemen and their families. But in his speech on the occasion, Governor Peter Mbah extolled the sacrifices of Nigeria’s ex-servicemen and fallen heroes for the safety of citizens and the nation’s territorial integrity.
However, aside from the yearly emblem launch, the governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai advocated a better structured and more sustainable means of ensuring a better welfare for the Nigerian Legion.
According to him, “It is important that we express to you how we feel about your selfless sacrifices, secure our democracy, strengthen our ability, and above all protect our integrity – ensuring that each and every one of us is able to explore and exploit our God given talents. So, on behalf of the people of Enugu State, I must say that we are very grateful to you.
“While Veterans’ Day, as this is when we commemorate the service and make contributions to support you, I think a sustainable relationship through a structure that is organised will make more meaning. So, struggle to put together a programme, engage our office, the government, and develop a protocol of engagement on how we can work with you to make things right, meaningfully and sustainably, for those who served.
“Again, we are a government that has embarked on aggressive efforts to rebuild Enugu State and expand opportunities for those who live here. In a state where we assemble 800 tractors for agriculture, where we are building farm estate in every political ward, where we are expanding our road infrastructure, constructing 260 Smart Schools, 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, I am sure, if you look inward and develop an engagement protocol, we will be able to develop a partnership that will be sustainable and beneficial to you and to us as a people.
“So, today is not much about the donations only, but it is about the acknowledgement of the sacrifices that the veterans made – sacrifices rooted in the personal willingness to lay their lives for the rest of us.”
