President Muhammadu Buhari; former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Minister of Defence, General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd), will tomorrow receive “Green Heroes Award” for their roles during the civil war in the country.
National Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that the recognition was to appreciate the sacrifice made by the retired soldiers while still alive.
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Jibril, represented by the chairman of the Nigerian Legion Green Hero Foundation awards, Maj.-Gen Shehu Yusuf, said:
“About 55 years ago, Nigeria fought a civil war (War of Unity) to ensure that the nation remain 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. In view of the foregoing, the Nigerian Legion in partnership with the Green Heroes Foundation, intends to commence a process of appreciating our soldiers yearly with a yearly Nigerian Legion/Green Heroes Foundation Honours and Awards ceremony.
“The event will also afford us the opportunity to appreciate the steadfastness of our widows and provide some succor to some of the orphans.”