President Bola Tinubu has appointed 60-year-old Grace Henry as the new chairperson of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman and the first non-commissioned officer to lead the nation’s foremost veterans’ organization.
The appointment was announced in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by Chief Abdul Lauya, Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media and Digital Communications, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria. Henry takes over from retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin.
According to the statement, her appointment became effective on June 7 and was officially communicated via a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“President Bola Tinubu has named Grace Henry as the Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, the first woman to hold the position.
“This is contained in a statement by Chief Abdul Lauya, Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media and Digital Communications, on Thursday in Abuja.
Lauya said the appointment marked a significant milestone as Ms. Henry became the first female and first non-commissioned officer to assume the leadership of Nigeria’s foremost veterans’ organization. He said the appointment, conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, took effect from June 7,” the NAN report read in part.
Her appointment was described by Chief Abdul Lauya as a significant milestone, both for her gender and her background as a non-commissioned officer. He noted that the decision to elevate her to this leadership position reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusiveness within national institutions.
The new chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion previously served as Director of Corporate Affairs at the Legion’s headquarters in Abuja and also holds the position of National Coordinator of Female Military Veterans of Nigeria.
Born on October 5, 1964, she retired from the Nigerian Army in 2000 after more than 25 years of service.
The Nigerian Legion is a statutory body established to support the welfare, rehabilitation, and reintegration of ex-servicemen and their dependents.
It also coordinates remembrance activities such as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and is involved in advocacy, public education, and limited security-related services.
According to the statement, President Tinubu expressed confidence in her ability to reposition the organization and encouraged her to apply her experience in support of efforts to strengthen its operations.
