THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE ASSOCIATION (NEWA) IN THE BRITISH COLONIAL CHARITY AND BENEVOLENCE CAMPAIGNS AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Abstract

The paper discusses the contributions of the Nigerian Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (NEWA) in its attempt to provide essential social services to demobilized veterans of the Second World War. It focuses on the nature and dimension of the activities of NEWA in the provision of social services to veterans. The paper traces the root causes of the protracted neglect being suffered by Nigerian military veterans at the threshold of the 21st century. The paper used archival and secondary materials to interrogate the Ex-Servicemen's Welfare imperatives during the colonial period and beyond. Throughout the colonial period, NEWA failed to provide needed social protection to the veterans because the majority among them were left in abject poverty and penury. The post–colonial practices are not much different from what took place during the colonial era. The persistent neglect of veterans’ affairs remains a worrisome phenomenon in the contemporary period, and therefore, the a need for an urgent change of approach towards the affairs of Nigerian military veterans