The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has expressed readiness to engage the services of members of the Nigerian Legion in the State in protecting the government assets.
He believes that though they are retired, but they are not tired.
The Governor dropped the hint Wednesday at the State’s launch of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day/Emblem Appeal Fund, at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chambers Government House Owerri.
In appreciation of the role the retired soldiers played in securing the country and still ready to play in their retirement, Governor Uzodimma proceeded to hand over a Brand New 18 seater Executive (VIP) Bus to the officials of the Legion, in keeping with the request they made to him for a means of transportation.
Besides, the Governor also made donation of undisclosed cash to support their work, the families of their departed members and for conducting themselves properly in the way they assist in keeping the peace of Imo State.
The Governor congratulated the Imo State President of the Association, Comrade Alphonsus Anyanwu, the Coordinator of Military Widows in the State, Mrs. Joy Moses and their team, as well as the Nigerian Army, for setting aside a day to remember their colleagues who paid the supreme prize for Nigeria to be one.
He advised that the emblem appeal Fund raising day should be taken seriously, if possible, held same time as that of the federal government, to enable the members raise enough funds to manage their organisation.
“The peace we have in the county today is a supreme prize by our past heroes, hence we need to reciprocate the gesture by showing care to those they left behind, the main reason Government of Imo State takes it seriously to support all their programmes,” the Governor said.
He commended their contributions to the society, insisting that they have shown a great deal of commitment in helping to maintain peace in Imo State and elsewhere.
At the same time, he also commended the entire security agencies for always being on their toes to defend the State against insurgency and terrorism.
The Governor assured that Government will meet with the leadership of the Nigerian Legion to work out how best to engage the members, “to protect the civil space, government and private assets that are being grossly vandalised.”
He encouraged them to continue to keep fit and to do what they know how to do best, and assured them that they as partners in progress, they should never be tired of helping to protect the society.
In her welcome remarks, the Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu thanked the Governor and his wife for the numerous ways they have supported the widows of the fallen heroes in the past years through different funding modes and other largees.
She said the appeal fund launching was a way of showing solidarity and support to the Legion, the wives of fallen heroes and their families, as well as carry out projects that will benefit them.
Mrs. Ugwu then appealed to the audience for generous support.
In his address, the President of the Nigerian Legion, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Anyanwu, also thanked the Governor and his wife for their support and special assistance to the union in general and the military widows in particular.
He appealed to the Governor to consider the re-engaging the veterans in security matters in the State.
He had earlier appealed to the Governor to give them a vehicle, a permanent site to erect their secretariat as well as enhanced donation to the fund to help them take care of their numerous problems.
The Coordinator of Military Widows in Imo State, Mrs. Moses captured the generosity of the Governor and his wife in a sentence, “we have never had it so good.”
Highlights of the ceremony were the decoration of the Governor, his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru among others with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem, and the presentation of a VIP bus to the Legion by Governor Uzodimma.
Present at the launching were the Senator representing Imo West, Senator Osita Izunaso, and members of the State Expanded Executive Council.
Others were the Service Chiefs – Army, Navy, Air Force, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps and representatives of other security agencies in Imo State.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share your story or advertise with us: WhatsApp: +2348174884527, Email: [email protected]
