Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has launched the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal Week with a call on Nigerians to support the Armed Forces to enable them discharge their duty of ensuring security in the country.
While announcing a cash donation of N4Million and another N6Million for the redemption of last year’s pledge, Governor Sani-Bello expressed the need for the ex-servicemen and their families to be supported having sacrificed their lives for the continued existence of the country.
The Governor noted that the Armed forces as well as all other security agencies in the country have been exposed to several security threats and violent crimes as a result of the proliferation of small arms in the country, hence the need for individuals and corporate organizations to support them financially and morally to enable them take care of the serving, ex-service men as well as the families of those that lost their lives in their service to the nation.
“We have to support our serving and ex-servicemen to the best of our ability. They need our financial support to enable them take care of the legion and their families especially the families of those that lost their lives in the course of discharging their duties to the country and I am sure your support will go a long way towards easing the lives of those affected in one way or the other”.
” As we experience a new wave of threats, not from external aggressors but from within, it is important to take care of our Armed Forces to encourage them to do more in safeguarding our society ”
The Governor, however, commended both the retired and serving officers and men for their support and joint security operations in ensuring that the activities of armed herdsmen and other violent crimes are proactively halted thereby securing lives and property in the state.
He urged Nigerlites to donate generously to the Emblem Appeal Week as it will go a long way in taking care of the fallen and living heroes who laid down their lives, and are still doing so, in service to our fatherland.
Earlier, the Chairman, Niger State chapter of the Nigerian Legion, Alh. Abubakar Musa Kutigi explained that the annual celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is to pay tribute to all heroes who paid the ultimate price of death by fighting tirelessly and selflessly during the first and second World War, the Nigerian civil war, as well as the recent fighting of insurgence and militant activities in the country.
The Chairman who called on the state government for more support for the legion also appealed to individuals , corporate organizations as well as religious bodies to donate passionately to the appeal fund for the welfare of the Legion, its members as well as the widows, orphans and aged parents left behind by the fallen heroes.
Over N6 Million was realised at the launch.