By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
ECOMOG veterans have called on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated remembrance day in honour of the hundreds of Nigerian troops who lost their lives during peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, disclosed this in a statement on Friday following a meeting between the Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), and a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by Major General Ohifeme Ejimai (retd.), at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Ejimai urged the ministry to address gaps in the documentation of ECOMOG operations and personnel, stressing the need to preserve the history and sacrifices of Nigerian troops who contributed to peace and stability in West Africa.
He also briefed the minister on the activities of the veterans and the status of surviving Nigerian personnel, noting their readiness to continue contributing their experience to national development and security.
Responding, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
The minister acknowledged the significant human and financial resources Nigeria deployed in support of the regional peacekeeping force, assuring the veterans that the sacrifices of personnel who paid the supreme price would not be forgotten.
He said ongoing efforts to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets would be completed to ensure that ECOMOG’s history was preserved for posterity.
ECOMOG was established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1990 as a regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement force. With significant Nigerian leadership and troop contributions, the force played a major role in efforts to restore constitutional order, protect civilians and stabilise West Africa during regional conflicts, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The proposed remembrance day, according to the veterans, would provide an opportunity to honour fallen personnel and preserve their contributions to regional peace and security for future generations.
