By Adeolu Johnson
The Nigeria Legion will now be called the Veterans Federation of Nigeria any moment from now.
This was revealed by the outgoing National Chairman Nigerian Legion,Major General Abdulmalik Jibril rtd after a Joint Meeting of the body towards a way to chart the best path for the welfare of the ex-Military personnel in the country.
Gen. Jibril said a draft of the Bill to change the name of Nigerian Legion to Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN) has passed the second reading and will be forwarded to the appropriate quarters for consideration after the third reading at the National Assembly.
“As I am talking to you, the clean copy of the proposal for the change of name will be sent to the Attorney General of the Federation where the Executive Bill will be passed to law as soon as final reading is finalised.
“We have simply changed the name to Veteran Federation of Nigeria. The acts establishing it have been adopted. Where it reads Nigerian Legion, it will now read Veteran Federation of Nigeria.
He said the knotty areas in the bill has been trashed, especially the issues of rank and appointment of the person to who heads and the person to head the new Veteran Federation.
“The person does not have to be the most senior officer. There should be a rank attached to it. It should be anybody who qualifies but must be appointed on the recommendation of the Honorable Minister to Mr. President for approval.
All other appointments under the new Veteran Federation Bill will be by elections to maintain nexus with the government. Otherwise we will look like we are independent of the government.
Our association is so strong that no government will want to close its eyes and ignore it.
He highlighted his achievement before leaving office as securing a yearly budget for the body which has been going cap in hand for funds since its establishment 60 years ago and supporting the welfare of veterans.
The Chairman who is bowing out of the body after a meritorious service said he was leaving the Nigerian Legion to take up a new appointment he was honoured with by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Secretary of the Civil Defence and Nigeria Immigration Committee Board CDCFIB adding that he is confident that the Legion will continue to thrive and uphold the highest standards of service.
The event was attended by members of the Nigerian Legion from various states, serving military personnel, and other stakeholders.
