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Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Monday promised to support the Nigerian Legion in the state in helping the families and dependants of ex-service men who had served in the military.
The governor stated this at the launching of the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and fundraising appeal week at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, said Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration was borne out of the need to honour the heroes who laid down their lives in service to humanity during the first and second world wars, Nigeria civil war, peace support and international security operations.
He said: “It is noteworthy that collective efforts should be made to consciously care for the needs of maimed soldiers, the widows, their children and other dependants of the fallen heroes.
“I am reliably informed that the Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Chapter, has initiated various relief packages designed to make Legionnaires, Widows and their dependants self-sustaining thereby reducing poverty. Their efforts are commendable and I wish to assure you that the Oyo State government will continue to support the activities of the Nigerian Legion, especially those viable projects meant for the benefit of the dependants of the fallen heroes.
“I appeal to the humanitarian spirit of our industrialists, commercial firms, corporate organisations, philanthropists and all individuals to donate generously to the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem appeal week fund, so as to support people with disabilities and the less-privileged ex-servicemen and women. There is nothing done that can be too much or small for the families of our fallen heroes and heroines.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Chapter, Deacon Oladoye Fajinmi, said the main focus of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration was to raise fund, in order to cater for the veterans who are still alive but incapacitated; those living in despair; children and widows of the departed heroes.
He added that widows, children, dependants, disabled and aged ex-servicemen from all the local government areas in the state were empowered from the donations raised during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.