Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government has pledged to preserve the memory and sacrifices of Nigerian soldiers who died during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by retired Major General Ohifeme Ejimai at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The minister’s media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Musa said the government was committed to documenting and preserving the contributions of Nigerian troops who participated in the regional peacekeeping missions, particularly those who lost their lives in the operations.
He acknowledged the human and financial resources Nigeria committed to ECOMOG, stressing that the sacrifices made by its personnel would not be forgotten.
The minister also assured the veterans that efforts to compile outstanding records of the operations, casualties and historical assets associated with the force would be completed to preserve its history for future generations.
Earlier, Ejimai briefed the minister on the veterans’ activities, ongoing initiatives and the welfare of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under ECOMOG.
He said the veterans remained willing to contribute their experience to Nigeria’s development and security.
The retired general urged the Ministry of Defence to address gaps in the documentation of ECOMOG’s history and establish a remembrance day to honour the hundreds of Nigerian troops who died during the missions.
Established by the Economic Community of West African States in 1990, ECOMOG was a regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement force that played a major role in efforts to restore stability in Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict.
Nigeria was a leading contributor to the force, deploying personnel and resources to support operations aimed at restoring peace and constitutional order in the two West African countries.
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