Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has offered to take care of the bills of some medically challenged ex-service men in the state.
The gesture was announced on Monday by the Governor shortly after laying the wreath at the 2018 Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Minna, the state capital.
Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Makun Sidi to ensure that all the medically challenged ex-servicemen receive medical attention from the state.
The Governor who after the parade moved to the stand where ex-service men were to felicitate with them when he noticed that some of officers are in dire need of medical attentions also commended them for their efforts towards ensuring peace in the country .
He said “I noticed that some of our ex-service men are medically challenged and it appears they have nowhere to run to. I have directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health to look at some of them and see how we can help.
“We have always been assisting the armed forces , we have done a lot for them despite the fact that they are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, the state government have to support them morally, financially and in the area of logistics. They are part of us and it is our collective responsibility to support them. ”
The governor who eulogised the nation’s armed forces for their untiring efforts at ensuring the unity of the country and protecting the territorial integrity of GE country, stressed that the need to remember and appreciate the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who lost their lives in their service to the nation.
” This is a very important day. We are remembering our fallen heroes. Those that lost their lives while trying to defend what we believe in. It is important we recognize and appreciate their efforts towards keeping this country and the entire world together. It is a very special day that we must always have in our hearts and reflect on the past,” Governor Sani Bello noted
Highpoint of the ceremony were prayers for the souls of the departed officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the laying of wreaths, gun salute as well as the release of pigeons to signify peace in the country.
The ceremony was climaxed with the release of Pigeons by the governor who was also the parade reviewing officer as a symbol the envisaged peace in the world.
Present at the ceremony were the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Marafa, Niger state Chief Judge, represented by Justice Bima Enagi, The Etsu Nupe and Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, TRADOC Commander, Maj Gen AA Salihu,
Commander, 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig Gen Adeyinka Adetayo, Commander, Air force base in Minna, Air Vice Marshal Idi Amin, Commissioner of Police, Mr Paul Yakadi and heads of other security agencies.
