By Zainab Bakare
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the legacy of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and honouring Nigerian troops who died during peacekeeping missions in West Africa.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), gave the assurance when he received a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by Major General Ohifeme Ejimai (Rtd.) at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa say efforts to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets would be completed to preserve the group’s history for future generations.
He acknowledge the human and financial resources Nigeria committed to ECOMOG, particularly during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and assured the veterans that personnel who lost their lives would not be forgotten.
Earlier, Ejimai brief the minister on the welfare and activities of surviving Nigerian ECOMOG veterans, saying they remained willing to contribute to national development and security.
He urge the Ministry of Defence to address gaps in veterans’ records and consider establishing a dedicated remembrance day for the hundreds of Nigerian troops who died while working to restore peace and stability in West Africa.
