Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has reiterated that his administration would continue to support retired men and families of fallen ones. Aliyu made the pledge during 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration on Monday in Sokoto. He noted that the men have sacrificed their lives for country’s unity and peaceful coexistence.
The governor solicited for more support and considerations for proper up keep of fallen heroes families’ and the retired men in the country.
He said they deserved to be honoured by the society through sustaining their needs and cater for their families on health, education, housing and others.
According to him, such gesture would motivate the present servicemen while the retired and deceased families would have a sense of belonging in the community and recognized their love ones’ sacrifice.
The governor lauded the security men on containing the security challenges bedeviling some parts of the country and reassured more state government support in order to achieve the desired goals.
Earlier, Alhaji Aliyu Danchadi, the Chairman of the state Council of the Nigerian Legion, said that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was set aside to pay tribute to the heroes who paid the ultimate price of death to fight for unity and stability of the country.
Danchadi commended the state government and individuals for their support to the families of fallen heroes and the living war veterans as well as appealed for continued donation towards improving the welfare of the legion.
He explained that no fewer than 361 widows received empowerment training along with business working tools that comprised knitting, sewing, grinding machines last year and hoped to repeat the initiative for 460 persons this year.
He said donations would assist in providing succour to ex-service men and the dependants of the fallen heroes.Leader of Fallen Heroes Wives Association, Malama Maryam Yusuf, appealed for more concern from the authorities noting that many of them lacked shelters, clothing and proper schooling of children.
“We need houses, businesses and scholarships in order to live good living and reduced the pains of loosing our bread winners” Yusuf said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about N55 million was realized during the fund raising ceremony while retired men and fallen heroes families received free healthcare services.
At the wreath laying ceremony, the event featured military parade, symbolic release of pigeons and placement of wreaths for peace and honour to fallen heroes.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Sokoto state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Gobir, Speaker Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tukur Bondinga, Police Commissioner, Mr Ali Kaigama and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Godwin Mutkut.
Others were representative of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is Galadiman Gari, Alhaji Aminu Attahiru, Heads of Department of State Security Services, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and others.
