Retired military personnel, under the auspices of the Nigeria Legion has stated that it is undertaking a review of its operations with a view to diversifying its financing options, with the aim of guaranteeing improved welfare for its members.

Speaking at the inaugural National Council meeting of the Nigerian Legion, National Chairman of the group, Brigadier General Adakole Akpa (retd), said the body of retired military personnel was expanding its services to seek funding outside the traditional sources.

According to him, there is desire and intention to initiate a diversification of financial source of the organization outside the existing traditional ones, and there are plans to expand the legion investment portfolios, donor supports and revenue yielding activities.

He also added that as a matter of urgency, the group is seeking to review and restructure its activities in line with the constitutionally approved standard and contemporary management experience.

He noted that programs would be put in place to employ members of the Nigeria Legion to generate enhance welfare for the men and for all those concerned.

He said, “The legion has put in place so many efforts to create adequate collaboration with the Military Pension Board for regular payment of the ex-servicemen pension. And provide employment opportunity for unemployed youth, and ex-servicemen and women.

“The legion is also making effort to come up the comprehensive list of the veterans nationwide and to aggressively pursue an improvement in the welfare of veterans.”

He called on all its members to bring up ideas and programmes to uplift the legion and to get a comprehensive record of membership of the legion.

He further noted that there are plans to develop and deploy information and sensitization programmes that would reawaken the positive image of the Nigeria Legion nationwide.

Also speaking, Director, Joint Service Department in the Ministry Of Defence , Mr. Jude Alozie said the Legion must begin to implement programmes that touch the lives of the members, widows and dependants of fallen heroes.

Alozie, who was represented by Mr. Mansur Dan-Ali, stated that the Veteran Affairs Division of the Defence Ministry was established to cater for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and to supervise the Legion, adding that the overriding authorities in the affairs of the legion is vested in the ministry of Defence

He also called on the Legion to be involved in the process of the amendment of the legion Act, and make necessary contributionS to the process.

He further urged the legion to see the meeting as an opportunity to bring up ideas and programmes that will uplift the veterans in the country.