Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration: Ondo Govt Floats Interest-Free Loan Scheme For Widows

By Ayodele Oni

In an effort to make widows of fallen soldiers cater for those left behind, Ondo State government has announced injection of another N30 million into the micro credit loan scheme initiated for relatives of the falling heroes.

The State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, disclosed this on Monday in Akure at the final parade to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.

The Governor explained that the micro credit loan scheme for the widows of departed soldiers is at zero interest rate to ensure easy repayment.

“The Micro-Credit Loan Scheme for the Widows of the departed heroes, which is at zero interest rate, remains a unique programme of this administration.

“This is to support their businesses to enable them take care of themselves and their children.  Last year, many widows benefitted from the Micro-Credit Revolving Loan, we have made provision for another sum of Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000.00) only for this purpose this year.

“We are aware of the various complaints surrounding this loan scheme and the poor attitude of some widows especially towards the repayment of these loans.

“While assuring you that we shall continue to make the loan more accessible, we are equally appealing to the beneficiaries to join hands with Government to make the programme sustainable by making prompt repayment of the loan a priority.

“It is the plan of our administration to continually put smiles on the faces of the widows and children of the fallen heroes.   We, therefore, crave your understanding and support to make it sustainable.”

Aiyedatiwa announced that the minister of defence has assigned more responsibilities to members of the Nigeria Legion as they are now to take charge of crowd and traffic control.

“While commending the Legions in areas of security in the State, I want to use this medium to inform all and sundry that the Hon. Minister of Defence has added to the Portfolio and responsibilities of the State Chairmen of Nigeria Legion.

“They are now to double as the Commandants of the Nigerian Legion Corps and Commissionaires.

“The Corps is a product of the Nigerian Legion which is empowered to provide body fitness, self defence (unarmed combat), strategic principle of crowds and traffic control, care security, tour guard, kidnapping control and use of CCTV Camera monitor as measures of crime control.

“Let me therefore, enjoin everyone to cooperate with the Legion in this regard at every point of their service for the purpose of security of lives and property in the State.”

The occasion was also observed in the state to pay tribute to Kate Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his doggedness to ensure the establishment of the South West Security outfit, Amotekun, despite opposition by he federal government.

Aiyedatiwa stated that “I am also deeply convinced that today’s event affords us the opportunity to call to mind the memories of our late Governor, my boss and mentor, an Icon, a Political Hero, a courageous and dogged fighter, a Civilian but Military-spirited man – Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.

“The gallant Civilian-Soldier fought doggedly alongside other South-West Governors to strengthen our security architecture in the South Western Region when some forces were threatening the peaceful existence of our dear people.

“The struggle led by this perfect gentleman of blessed memory gave birth to the ‘Amotekun Corps’, the South-West Security Network, an outfit purposely established to complement the National Security Agencies.

“On this note, I will like to crave your indulgence to rise, and observe a minute silence in honour of this freedom fighter, our dear former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.  May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace (Amen).

“Ladies and Gentlemen, you would recall that our Late Governor, even when the Federal Government considered the Corps illegal before the eventual tacit approval, declared his readiness to forge ahead with the establishment of the security outfit in-spite of the fact that his second term election was still being contested in the court of law.

“This showed his avowed love and commitment to the security of lives and property of not only the people of the Sunshine State but that of the entire South-West.

“Today, Amotekun Corps has come to stay in Ondo State and other South-West States.  We owe him a great honour, we owe him our salute, we owe him our gratitude so that the works and struggle of this gallant hero will not be in vain.”