The Governor of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, Seyi Makinde, has promised that his administration would continue to cater to the needs of families and dependants of fallen heroes and maimed soldiers in the state.
Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, stated this, on Thursday, at the launch of the Appeal Week Emblem of the 2022 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament building, Secretariat, Ibadan, the state capital.
While announcing the donation of the sum of N3 million by the state government to launch the Appeal Week Emblem of the 2022 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration, the governor noted that there was nothing done to support the families left behind by the heroes and heroines that could be too much for them.
He stated: “As widows and widowers, we have to attend to them and give succour to their needs. It may interest you to know that some of us here have tasted the heart of the war and the effect of internal insecurity, and we cannot claim ignorance as though we don’t know what happened to those people who were affected.”
Makinde further appealed to corporate organisations, industrialists, commercial firms, philanthropists and all individuals present to donate generously to the launch of the Appeal Week Emblem of the 2022 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration.
“For us in the Southwest, it could be easier for us to forget the effect of thr civil war but it won’t be like that with people in the Southeast. This is an occasion for good samaritans, philanthropists among us to donate to the need of those that were affected,” the Governor said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Adeyemi Ogunkojo, appreciated the Seyi Makinde-led administration for its positive and genuine disposition to issues of the Nigerian Legion in the state.
Ogunkojo, who appealed for an upward review of the government’s donation to the legion, also requested for befitting operational vehicles for effective security operational duties, promising the support of the legion to security agencies in the state.
He enjoined all individuals present at the launch to donate generously to the noble cause so that the effort of the past heros shall not be in vain.
The event witnessed the decoration of top government officials, military commanders, the Commissioner of Police and other Service commanders in the State.
The week-long remembrance activities include the launch of the Appeal Week Emblem, special prayers in churches and mosques, honouring of veterans, empowerment of widows of the fallen heroes and people with disabilities and the grand finale/laying of wreaths.
Emmanuel Ukoh
