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Major General Abdulmalik Jibril, (rtd) National Chairman, Nigerian Legion
National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion is a retired General, a Lawyer and now a Politician. He granted an interview on how he is repositioning it in line with global best practice.
By Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad, Abuja
What is the relevance of the annual general meeting of officials of Nigerian Legion?
The annual meeting is an opportunity to interact and trash out all matters that may have the potential to mar and impede the progress and unity of this great body, the Nigerian legion. This forum is a worthy channel for promoting common and mutual benefiting interests for the fulfilment of our goals and objectives. The advantages from these meetings cannot be quantified as it offers us a unique platform to strategize, formulate, implement and monitor the progress of decisions made in the last council meetings and chart the course for future endeavours. We have taken strident steps in the pursuit of the aspirations and purposes of the legion. I am extending my profound congratulations to the newly elected members of the National Council on their decisive victories in the just concluded State Council elections.
How do you plan to reposition the Legion?
Nigerian Legion under my leadership has implemented all directives of the HMOD and also reviewed all germane instruments for the attainment of all fiscal policies of government. This leadership has taken bold steps in strategic management formulation and implementation for the actualisation of the goals establishing Nigerian Legion, which amongst others is primarily the maintenance of the laudable objective of catering for the welfare of veterans and their dependants.
Being a Lawyer, how are you planning to solve the litigations against the Legion?
The Legion has made significant inroads in addressing many of the mandates set before it, especially in resolving the multifaceted disputes with individuals, third parties and organizations. Legal disputes which emanated from non-resolution of some of the onerous contracts entered into with these parties have resulted in litigations against the Legion.It is with great humility and praise to Almighty Allah that I announce to you that most of the court cases have now been resolved except the recent matter brought by the former Secretary General Group Captain Abe against the National Council. This matter is yet to be determined by the courts.I am glad to state that most of the adverse issues that bedevil the legion has been resolved and we pray that with the harmonious working relationship currently enjoyed throughout the Legion, it will translate to quantifiable deliverables that will impact positively in the lives of veterans in the very near future.
How do you plan to increase revenue generation?
As stated earlier, this management has formulated strategies that will ensure the realisation of multiple income streams for Nigerian Legion. These plans will not only ensure internally generated revenues are improved but are also sustained. Presently the leadership is in exploratory dialogues with many stakeholders and investors to ensure that the above goals are achievable through leveraging financial independence and advantages to the Nigerian Legion in the first instant and the veterans in general.
How do you plan to renovate the Headquarters of the Legion in Garki, Abuja?
To this end we have solicited for financial support from governments and agencies of government for the alleviation of a wide array of needs including the renovation of the Nigerian Legion Headquarters. We are grateful for the material and financial assistance received from Chief of Defence staff and other Service Chiefs towards the renovation of Nigerian Legion headquarters. Though the budgeted amount for the renovation of the existing facility was not met, we are altogether grateful and thankful for the responses received thus far.
You were the Director, Directorate of Security and Intelligence of the All Progressives Congress, Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, what is your administration trying to get foreign partners?
Nigerian Legion in its effort to reposition and align its activities and operations in line with international best practices and standards has registered with regional and international bodies. Sequel to this registration with veteran associations with similar interests globally, the Legion is trying to update its membership records with many international bodies and has recently embarked on an international visit to the American Legion post 7 Annapolis Maryland in the USA.
What is the success report between last year and now?
In Furtherance to my maiden speech of 2022 where the matter of the relationship with the Corps of Commissionaires was first highlighted as a matter of grave concern, it is with serious concern, that I bring this matter yet again to the attention of the National Council for deliberation and decisive resolution.
What efforts are being made to resolve the internal disputes bedeviling the Legion?
This perennial and growing concern must be addressed and finally settled in line with the Laws establishing Nigerian Legion and the Corps of Commissionaires. The Corps is an arm of the Legion established by Nigeran Legion (see Section 4(1) of the Nigerian Legion decree Act of 1988). The National Council has the right to establish or dissolve the Corps of Commissionaires. The National council has the power to appoint promote and discipline any member or members of the Corp of Commissionaires. It is therefore pertinent that the relationship between the father (Nigerian Legion) and the rights accorded to the Son (the Corps of Commissionaires) must be unambiguously explained and determined. The problematic issue of NAPAAS with regards to the 19 Northern States Chairman Veteran’s empowerment programs is virtually resolved as deductions of pensioneers funds has stopped. This will surely end the misery experienced by our legionnaires. What remains now is to meet with NAPAAS officials for reconciliation of accounts. To this end we commend the efforts of the Chairman and the Secretary of the 19 Northern Legion Chairmen for a job well done.
How are you adopting ICT in transforming the legion with modern trends?
I am very happy to inform you that Nigerian Legion Headquarters has successfully established a website, www.nigerianlegionhq.org for gathering, dissemination and communication of relevant and up to date information and for interaction with all stakeholders thereby ensuring that all matters and activities of the Legion is communicated to veterans, dependants and all interested organisations including governmental and non-governmental bodies. The feedback received from interactions with various users will act as stimuli for managements actions and for continuous assessment and improvement in all areas of management decision making. Please feel free to use the website to communicate areas of concerns to management. Your feedback will certainly aid management in the training of its staff for enhanced performance.
How do you plan to invest to increase revenue and be independent?
In my determination to improve the lives of veterans and generate more revenues for the Legion, we are currently at advanced discussions stages for the establishment of Nigerian Legion Microfinance bank and have instituted many innovative programs geared towards revenue generations.
What is the relationship between the Legion and government agencies?
Consultations and deliberations are on-going in demanding that Nigerian Legion be included in the annual budgetary allocation of the Federal Government but the Legion is severely hampered by failure of Nigerian Legion to collate and render accounts as required by the supervisory ministry the Ministry of Defence.
Is it true that some state executives don’t have audited accounts and don’t report to the Headquarters?
The Nigerian Legion is warning any State Chairman or Commandant who continuously contravenes the requirement for submission of audited accounts together with report of their activities to headquarters will be reprimanded. The failure to comply with directives severely hampers the legions capacity to meet all developmental projects and blocks the Legion from meeting the prerequisite conditions for inclusion in the annual budgetary allocation of the Federal government.
What is your dream for the Nigerian Legion?
The overarching objective of Nigerian Legion is to achieve financial independence necessary for meeting the various challenges facing the Legion. It is important to note that this requirement is not an option but a statutory requirement and obligation (See Section 11(4bc), 13(1) of the Nigerian Legion Decree Act of 1988).
A Legionnaire, President and General Muhammadu Buhari has just handed over to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, how do you plan to work with this new government?
Finally, I wish to thank our former Grand Patron and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammed Buhari GCFR for all the support granted to the veterans and I also seize this opportunity to congratulate our new Grand Patron, President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR for his successful inauguration as the President and C-in-C of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria. May Allah continue to increase him in good health and wisdom to govern this great Nation.
What is the relationship between the Legion and the Ministry of Defence?
May I also in same vein thank the former HMOD Maj.Gen Magshi Rtd CFR, the Permanent Secretary and all senior supervisory staff of the Ministry of Defence for the immeasurable support granted to Nigerian Legion. We salute you all. Finally, I wish to thank all participants for your presence and wish you a very fruitful and happy deliberation.
