Nigerians should show compassion to war veterans — Aregbesola
Nigerians have been encouraged as a matter of self will, to deliberately show passionate love and compassion to all veterans in their different categories, those who are retired, those with varied degrees of injuries and most especially those who have had to lay down their lives, in patriotic service to their father land through death, “The Supreme Price.”
“All veterans should be appreciated and cared for while still alive, also those who have been injured and are nursing injuries they sustained during battles should be showed much love and care, this may in the long run tell the practical story of love that will encourage upcoming youths who may wish to join the military force. Worst still, there should be proper arrangements and well coordinated plans to cater for their widows, children and dependants in whatever form to assist them cope with the challenges of daily living.”
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated this during his decoration and that of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) Emblem 2022 by a Team from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Nigerian Legion in his office today in Abuja.
Aregbesola, emphatically sounded the need for Nigerians to reward our Ex- Servicemen that had fought gallantly in ensuring the peace we enjoy and also volunteering to defend our territories in times of lnteventions and Peace keeping operations.
“Veterans include the old and retired military and paramilitary officers, those who fought in battles, while some are heavily injured and incapacitated, others die, paying the ultimate supreme price in the line of duty defending our Nation. All of these veterans need to be celebrated moreso, educational scholarships is being recommended for at least a sizable number of children of these veterans to attain their educational desires to any height, “ Aregbesola reiterated.
The Minister also noted that ex-service men should be commended and celebrated in addition to making adequate and deliberate plans to cater for their dependants and widows who passionately need to be assisted. Aregbesola cited an instant where a veteran military officer who has been incapacitated during battles should not be left to his fate, considering the fact that he has dependants who need to be assisted during his incapacitation, and inability to manage them at this time of life can be painful and worrisome.
“We must celebrate those who volunteer their lives for the protection of our peaceful living and our national territory,” Aregbesola added.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore in his welcome remarks said that it feels pleasant receiving members of the Nigerian Legion, adding that the responsibilities with which the Legion has been saddled with over these decades is tremendous.
Belgore further stated that the “Ministry of Interior is ready to partner with the Nigerian Legion in the preparation for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration activities.”
The Leader of the delegation, Group Captain, Kayode Abe commended the Minister of Interior and his team for their annual support to the course and upliftment of the Nigerian Legion and its activities.
The Nigerian Legion is statutorily in charge of ex service men, those still living or widows, children of dead officers and their dependants.
Other members of the delegation are Brigadier General Sunday Makolo, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Legion, Dr Aisha Salihu Lemu, BOT Military Widow’s and Directors of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Peter Egbodo, of Joint Services Department, Mrs. Betty Jeddy- Agba, Director Legal Services and Blessing Lere-Adams, Director Press and Public Relations.
The Leader of the delegation, Group Captain Kayode Abe ( Rtd) thereafter decorated the Minister and the Permanent Secretary, while Dr Aisha Salihu Lemu decorated the Directors as well.
It was a colourful ceremony which shall be rounded off on the 15th of January, 2022 by President Muhammad Buhari in Abuja at the Cenotaph during the wreath laying ceremony.
