A war veteran, Major General IBM Haruna (Rtd) has called on Nigerians to engage politicians in making sure that their manifestos and promises are fulfilled after winning the 2023 General elections.
Haruna who was among soldiers that fought the Second World War, Civil war and peacekeeping mission in Liberia, disclosed this in his keynote at the Nigerian Legion/Green heroes foundation veteran awards titled “Celebrating our heroes” held on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, “2023 elections is around the corner and I call on all legislators, opinion makers and traditional rulers to engage the politicians about making sure that their manifestos and promises are what they can do with little we have to take care of generality of citizens and our heroes past.”
He emphasized that veterans who sacrifice their lives for the noble cause of the war which is a needless endeavour and its resultant effect supersede developmental strides, should be commended and honored.
Haruna noted that the legion was created in 1964 to adequately cater for the need of veterans who fought for the unity of the country. “We believe they have the right to be sustained and their families to be well taken care of.
“It is commendable that we are now burdened about the safety of the families left behind”, he said.
The veteran recalled 55 years ago, when Nigeria fought a civil war (War of Unity) to ensure that the nation remains one entity with the hope of ensuring unity and faith, peace and progress. “The war ended in 1970 with a no victor, no vanquish declaration.
“The efforts of the Armed Forces were thereafter directed at projecting Nigeria’s image positively across the globe”.
Adding that in view of the foregoing, the Nigerian Legion in partnership with the Green Heroes Foundation intends to commence a process of appreciating Nigerian soldiers yearly with a yearly Legion/Green Heroes Foundation Honours and Awards ceremony.
Speaking at the sideline of the event, the National Chairman of the Legion, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril said the whole essence of the event is to celebrate Nigerian heroes by bringing them together, reassuring them of being still appreciated for their sacrifices through securing the territory.
According to him, “the event is designed to specifically recognise and honour the nation’s retired military heroes, officers and men who have distinguished themselves during the conflict which brought glory and privilege to Nigeria.
“Those honoured today are veterans of the Civil war, veterans of ECOMOG, wars both in Liberia and Sierra- Leone, the Bakassi veterans and veterans who participated in the insurgency and are out of service”, he said.
Among the awardees is a 109-year-old war veteran, Mr Mele Toure, who fought the second world war and the Nigerian civil war, the first and most senior Nigerian Air Force Pilot trained by the Canadian Air Force in 1963, Rtd Captain, Augustine Okpe, wife of the late Dele Giwa popularly known as Mama Bakassi, Senator Florence Ita Giwa and others.