Retired Military Veterans Rally Support for Proposed Veterans Federation




A coalition of retired military personnel under the umbrella of the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans (CCV) has thrown its weight behind the proposed Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN), describing it as a strategic initiative aimed at improving the welfare, coordination, and representation of military veterans across the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Secretary-General of the coalition, Dr. Awal Abdullah Aliyu, said the idea of establishing the Veterans Federation of Nigeria was conceived in 2018 during the tenure of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin (rtd), following growing concerns over the proliferation of veterans' associations and the need for a unified platform.

According to Aliyu, a series of retreats involving military veterans, international experts, and key stakeholders led to the development of a framework for a national federation that aligns with global best practices in veterans' affairs.
He disclosed that experts from countries such as the United States, Egypt, and Tunisia participated in discussions on veterans' welfare systems and federation models adopted in their respective jurisdictions.

Aliyu explained that several committees were subsequently constituted to draft the legal framework and coordinate the implementation process for the proposed federation.

The coalition, however, accused the current leadership of the Nigerian Legion of opposing the initiative despite allegedly supporting it during its formative stages.

He claimed that the current chairperson of the Nigerian Legion actively participated in meetings, deliberations, and review committees that endorsed the creation of the Veterans Federation of Nigeria.

According to him, the proposed federation is designed to provide a coordinated structure for addressing key challenges confronting veterans, including healthcare, housing, education, transportation, skills acquisition, and other welfare-related concerns.

"The issue is not about individuals. It is about the welfare and well-being of military veterans, their families, widows, and children," Aliyu stated.

He maintained that the veterans' community remains overwhelmingly supportive of the federation, describing it as a necessary platform for advancing the interests of retired military personnel and ensuring their voices are effectively represented.

The coalition further argued that the federation would strengthen collaboration among veterans' organisations, improve coordination of activities, and enhance engagement with government institutions on issues affecting former service personnel.

Aliyu called on stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that a united veterans' body would contribute significantly to improving the quality of life of retired military personnel and their dependants while promoting national development through their continued service and experience.

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