The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has appointed Ms Grace Henry as the first female new Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion.
In a statement issued, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Digital communications to the Chairman, Chief Abdul Lauya, said the appointment marked a significant milestone as Henry becomes the first non-commissioned officer to assume the leadership of Nigeria’s foremost veterans’ organisation.
Lauya said the announcement was conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The statement said Henry, born on October 5, 1964, brings over 25 years of distinguished service experience, having retired from the Nigerian Army in the year 2000.
It further explained that until her appointment she was the Director of Corporate Affairs at the Legion headquarters, Abuja.
She also currently serves as the National Coordinator Female Military Veterans of Nigeria.
Inclusiveness
Henry succeeds Major General AbdulMalik Jibrin (rtd), and her appointment is widely seen as a testament to the federal government’s commitment to gender equality and inclusiveness within the veterans’ community.
“President Tinubu expressed confidence in her leadership and urged her to deploy her wealth of experience to reposition the Nigerian Legion, an organization that has long served as the voice and support system for the nation’s ex-servicemen and women,” he said.
Her emergence signals a renewed era of reform and revitalisation for the Legion, as she assumes the mantle of leadership in a time of growing calls for veteran welfare and institutional reinvigoration.
The Nigerian Legion is a statutory organization established by law to cater to the welfare and interests of ex-servicemen and their dependents, particularly those who served in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Its core mandates include providing support for the rehabilitation, reintegration, and economic empowerment of military veterans; promoting patriotism and national unity through remembrance activities such as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day; and collaborating with government agencies, security institutions, and civil society to uphold the dignity and contributions of retired service personnel.
The Legion also engages in security-related services, advocacy, and public enlightenment to enhance the visibility and relevance of veterans in national development.
Lateefah Ibrahim