NIGERIAN LEGION CALLS FOR IMPROVED PENSION SCHEME
As Niger
ia marks the 28 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day, officers and men of the Armed Forces have been urged to remain committed in service to the nation.
The Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu, Col. Sagir Musa gave the advice in Enugu while speaking on the significance of the celebration.
Colonel Musa urged personnel on active service not to be deterred by challenges in their duty to the nation.
The Army Division spokesman called for support from the citizenry to the armed forces to enable them to perform optimally.
The Chairman Nigerian Legion ‘Enugu State Chapter, Retired Captain Emeka Igwesi, commended the Federal Government for enhancing the wellbeing of the Nigerian Legion through payment of gratuity and pensions.
He however called for improvement on their pension.
Captain Igwesi also expressed gratitude to the Enugu State Governor for continued support to the Legion.
The event featured release of pigeons to symbolize peace, placing of wreaths on the tome of unknown soldiers, parade, among others, inter-denominational Christian services and special Jumat prayers were also held to mark the event.
The Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event organized to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars and those who served or are still serving in various peace support operations worldwide as well as those who fought in the Nigerian Civil War.
It was initially marked on November 11 of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day popularly known as “Poppy Day” for the first and Second World War Veterans in all the British Commonwealth countries.
However, Nigeria decided to celebrate the day on 15th of January every year in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970 that signaled the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
It has become a national ritual when all military personnel including the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Nigerian Legion converge on different centres across the nation to celebrate the day and give honour to the fallen and living heroes, for their sacrifices in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and for peace to reign worldwide.
IFESINACHI UGWUEZE.