Determined to make life better for Legionnaires and dependants of departed ones, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed his administration’s readiness to ensure an improved welfare for them.

Akeredolu made this known in Akure during the launch of Emblem Appeal Fund in connection with the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

He explained that the month long celebration was a golden opportunity for the government and the society to empathize with the widows and relations of fallen heroes, especially those cut down in their prime.

“The onus is on us to soberly reflect on the plight of these categories of persons and resolve to ensure that they live socially acceptable lives.

“There is nothing too good or too much that we can do to replace the precious lives lost or remedy the deprivations and untold hardships suffered by the dependents of these heroes.

“We must, however, at all times and at every opportunity give our financial and material support so that those still alive and serving will be encouraged to give their best in the service to their fatherland.

The governor further said special appreciation and recognition must be accorded the gallant soldiers involved in the war against Boko-Haram and paid the supreme price in the process.

“This is why for the first time, we are giving grants of N100,000 to each of the widows of those from the Owena Cantonment here, who were felled by Boko-Haram bullets in the recent past.

He further lamented the current daring posture of the enemy, which had cost lives of many gallant soldiers and described the situation as condemnable.

“Without the sacrifice and commitment of these officers and men of the Armed Forces, it is a matter of time before the whole country is overrun. God forbid.

“This apart, it is the sustained effort of these officers and men that has kept at bay the herdsmen and farmers crisis, kidnapping, armed robbery and unpatriotic agitations confronting the country,” he said

Earlier, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Ondo State Council, Col Olu Apata said the Nigerian Legion was established to foster the well-being of all ex-servicemen and families of the deceased ones.

He commended Governor Akeredolu for his continued support towards uplifting the well-being of members of the legion in various ways.

Describing members of the legion as those trained to identify criminals before they strike, he appealed to the state government to engage them in the area of providing effective security to both government and private agencies in the state.

The Chairman also appealed to the state government to include the over 10,000 members of the State Legion in the agricultural drive of government in rice production among others.

“Let me also use this medium to appeal to the Akeredolu-led administration to address the re-occuring issue of non-availability of Cenotaphs and abject neglect of the existing ones in many local governments in the state”, he said.

He further solicited for loans for widows and children of the deceased members as well as ex-servicemen that are permanently physically challenged and cannot be gainfully engaged.

Also, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ondo State Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi stated that the purpose of the ceremony held on 15th, January of every year, is to continually accord the fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the survival and sustenance of the country, the well deserved honour.

She added that the occasion presents the opportunity of raising funds through donations and sales of emblems throughout the period to improve the well-being of the families left behind by the departed heroes.

“The onus therefore, lies on us all to recognize the selfless services rendered by these people to our country by fully participating in this national event and donating generously towards this noble course, we must rise to the task”, she stated.


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