By Bavoriat Dabo
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has inaugurated an 18-member committee on “Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans,” as part of renewed efforts to strengthen veterans’ welfare and enhance their contribution to national security.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, described the Nigerian Legion as a critical national institution with a proud history of service, sacrifice and patriotism. He noted that the Legion has continued to play significant roles in supporting national security and veterans’ affairs, stressing that evolving socio-economic realities make it imperative to reform and reposition the corps for greater relevance and sustainability.
According to him, the repositioning initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to ensuring that military veterans who served the nation with honour are not neglected but are empowered to live dignified and productive lives after service. He described the initiative as a deliberate and strategic policy intervention aimed at addressing long-standing structural and operational challenges that have limited the defence community’s contribution to national development.
General Musa further advocated a strategic shift from over-reliance on military offensives to a more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable approach to national security. While acknowledging that military operations remain indispensable, he emphasised that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved by addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that allow insecurity to thrive.
The Minister outlined three terms of reference for the committee, which include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development; deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring such areas under effective oversight and development; and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and enhance their contribution to national security.
He urged committee members to adopt innovative, practical and forward-looking approaches that reflect contemporary realities, noting that the deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state.
The Minister expressed optimism that the committee would submit actionable recommendations capable of supporting a holistic national strategy for securing Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, while promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable peace.
Membership of the committee was drawn from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as representatives from the offices of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Honourable Minister of State for Defence.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, on behalf of the Director, Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu.
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