Abdulmalik Jibril, National Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, revealed on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari and some retired soldiers will receive the “Green Heroes Award” for their roles during the country’s civil war.
Jibril, speaking to reporters in the Federal Capital Territory, stated that the retired soldiers would be honoured for their service.
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, are also on the list (rtd).
Jibril, who was represented by the chairman of the Nigerian Legion Green Hero Foundation awards, Shehu Yusuf, said;
About 55 years ago, Nigeria fought a civil war (War of Unity) to ensure that the nation remains 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 succour to some of the orphans.