In a significant development that could shape the future of female military veterans in Nigeria, the newly appointed Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Ms. Grace Morenike Henry, led a high-powered delegation of the Female Military Veterans Association of Nigeria (FMVA) on a courtesy visit to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Vantasia Rochas Anwukah, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The visit, which focused on strategic inclusion and partnership under the N774 Nutrition Initiative, marked a bold step by Ms. Henry in galvanizing federal support for women who served in the Armed Forces. Speaking on behalf of the FMVA, Ms. Henry expressed profound appreciation for the N774 Initiative, describing it as a “visionary program” that embodies the Tinubu administration’s commitment to national well-being.
“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.
She outlined five key areas for potential collaboration with the Office of the Vice President: nutritional support, health and wellness programs, capacity building, advocacy for veterans’ rights, and broad-based community engagement. These initiatives, she said, would not only benefit FMVA members but also extend impact across communities nationwide.
In response, Mrs. Anwukah affirmed the federal government’s readiness to integrate female veterans into the N774 Initiative—a nationwide, LGA-focused program designed to combat malnutrition through grassroots mobilization, strategic partnerships, and policy-driven execution.
“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 emphasized that inclusion of veterans aligns with the initiative’s broader objectives of promoting human capital development and strengthening socio-economic resilience under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The delegation included distinguished retired officers such as Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa, Brigadier-General Kenechukwu Archibong, Army Warrant Officer Grace Pethon, and Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, showcasing the depth of experience and leadership within the FMVA.
The historic meeting signals a new era for female veterans in Nigeria, positioning them as both beneficiaries and active contributors to the nation’s health architecture. As Ms. Henry steps into her leadership role, her efforts hint at a transformative vision, one where service to the nation does not end in retirement, but is reinvested into community development and public health advocacy.
If successfully implemented, the FMVA’s inclusion in the N774 Nutrition Initiative could become a model for holistic veteran reintegration, merging dignity, health, and national service in one unified policy stride.
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e-Signed by Chief Abdul Lauya ANIPR
Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman (Media & Digital Communications).