Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said that his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Peter Odey, the governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation,” he said.
Otu further said that widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme,” he said.
Earlier, the Cross River Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said that the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said that families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs Miriam Orok, thanked the governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under Our. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion, ” she said.
Newsmen reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
