By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has inaugurated an 18-member committee aimed at reclaiming ungoverned spaces for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and veterans.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, forms part of renewed efforts to strengthen veterans’ welfare and enhance the participation of ex-service personnel in national security and development initiatives.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwa, the minister described the Nigerian Legion as a critical institution with a proud legacy of service, sacrifice and patriotism. He noted that the Legion has continued to play significant roles in supporting national security and veterans’ affairs.
He stressed that evolving socio-economic realities have made it necessary to reform and reposition the corps for greater relevance, sustainability and impact.
According to the minister, the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s broader commitment to ensuring that veterans who served the nation with honour are empowered to live dignified and productive lives after retirement.
General Musa explained that the committee’s work represents a deliberate policy intervention designed to address long-standing structural and operational challenges that have limited the defence community’s contribution to national development.
He also called for a strategic shift from an over-reliance on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable approach to security, noting that lasting peace can only be achieved by tackling the socio-economic conditions that fuel insecurity.
The committee’s terms of reference include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development, deploying veterans to help secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight, and strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to facilitate reintegration and enhance contributions to national security.
The minister urged committee members to adopt innovative, practical and forward-looking approaches that align with contemporary realities.
He added that integrating veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state.
General Musa expressed optimism that the committee would submit actionable recommendations to support a holistic national strategy for securing ungoverned spaces while promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable peace.
Members of the committee were drawn from the Joint Services Department of the ministry, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as representatives from the offices of the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence.
