By Our Reporter
In a landmark advocacy move, female military veterans have called for their inclusion in the federal government’s flagship N774 Nutrition Initiative, aimed at combating malnutrition across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Leading the charge is Ms. Grace Morenike Henry, the newly appointed Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, who on Thursday led a delegation of the Female Military Veterans Association of Nigeria (FMVA) to meet with Mrs. Uju Vantasia Rochas Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Nutrition Focal Person in the Office of the Vice President.
The high-level engagement, which took place at the Presidential Villa, centered on forging a strategic partnership that would see female veterans play a key role in the rollout of the N774 Initiative. The initiative is a community-driven response to Nigeria’s widespread malnutrition problem, with special emphasis on women and children.
“As an organization dedicated to the welfare of women who’ve served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, we recognize the importance of nutrition in maintaining the health and resilience of our members,” Ms. Henry stated.
In a press statement in Abuja on Friday, Media Aide to the Legion Chairman, Abdul Lauya, said the Chairman proposed five critical areas of collaboration: nutrition support, health and wellness programs, capacity building, advocacy for veterans’ welfare, and community engagement. These, she noted, would not only uplift FMVA members but also position them as grassroots health influencers and advocates nationwide.
Responding, Mrs. Anwukah welcomed the proposal and praised the FMVA for its initiative. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and local ownership in the delivery of health programs.
“The N774 Initiative is about localizing nutrition solutions and building healthier, more resilient communities. Veterans, particularly female veterans, represent a critical segment of our society that we must empower through health and nutrition,” Anwukah said.
She underscored the alignment between the veterans’ inclusion and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes human capital development and socio-economic resilience through targeted public health interventions.
The visiting delegation included esteemed female officers such as Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (Rtd), Brigadier-General Kenechukwu Archibong (Rtd), Army Warrant Officer Grace Pethon (Rtd), and Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, reflecting the depth of experience within the FMVA ranks.
Observers say the visit marks a turning point for veterans’ affairs in Nigeria, especially for women whose service to the nation is often overlooked post-retirement. Ms. Henry’s leadership is being hailed as a fresh chapter in the push for veteran empowerment, with nutrition now on the national agenda.
If implemented, the collaboration could serve as a blueprint for inclusive public health policy, where those who once protected the nation now help nurture it, one community at a time.
