Military veterans have been assured of the Cross River State government’s welfare support to cushion the effects of current economic realities.
Also to benefit from the proposed Cross River State Government welfare support programmes are widows and families of fallen heroes.
The governor, Senator Bassey Otu pledged shortly after laying a wreath alongside service commanders at the cenotaph of an unknown soldier at the Millennium Park in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State southern Nigeria, venue for this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Governor Otu, who reminded the gathering of his administration’s People First agenda, which gives priority attention to those living below the poverty line, extolled the patriotic contributions of the military particularly those who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty for the sovereignty, unity, peace and stability of Nigeria.
Otu said, “for a country to grow to the level we are today, people sacrificed their lives. The people we are paying honour to this day are those, who put their lives on the line; and we have lost so many of them. So it is only very rational and reasonable that a day is set aside in their honour.”
According to the governor, the welfare support has been designed to specifically target the widows and families of deceased soldiers, while ex. servicemen would benefit from other packages.
He stated, “We have a programme, which would be focused on the widows and families of the fallen heroes. We are also trying to structure the society in a way that such families would not be found wanting as a result of the loss of their dear ones. There is the saying ‘An injury to one is an injury to all’ so, we feel the pain that they feel and we will ensure that the memories of our fallen heroes live on.
“This administration is extending a hand of fellowship to the veterans and the families. We will ensure that they share in the bounty of the season of sweetness, which is not for the rich and highly placed in the society, but for the common masses and downtrodden,” Otu said.
He further pledged to ensure members of the Nigerian Legion and families of deceased soldiers would be registered as beneficiaries for the future distribution of foodstuff and other sundry products with the Cross River Palliatives Committee.
Inclusive welfare
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Cross River State chapter, Mr. Daniel Ojugbo, thanked the governor for the synergy between the government and the legion.
Ojugbo appealed for the inclusion of veterans as beneficiaries of government programmes, noting “we are appealing to the state government to include in its welfare scheme and provide infrastructure by assisting us to renovate the legion’s office amongst others.”
In a brief remark, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita noted that the celebration of veterans and fallen heroes was symbolic, memorable and significant to Nigeria’s unity.
Meanwhile, an interdenominational church service was held at The Presbyterian Church, Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar as part of activities to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The service featured prayers for the Nigerian military, the veterans, the departed and families left behind including Cross River and Nigeria in general.
Dominica Nwabufo
