BY EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
The Governor of Imo State, Hope NigerianUzodimma has expressed readiness to engage the services of members of the Legion in protecting gov’t assets
He believes that though they are retired, they are not tired.
The Governor dropped the hint at the State’s launch of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day/Emblem Appeal Fund, at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chambers Government House Owerri.
In appreciation of the role the retired soldiers played in securing the country and still ready to play in their retirement, Governor Uzodimma proceeded to hand over a Brand New 18 seater Executive (VIP) Bus to the officials of the Legion, in keeping with the request they made to him for a means of transportation.
Besides, the Governor also made donations of undisclosed cash to support their work, the families of their departed members, and for conducting themselves properly in the way they assist in keeping the peace.
The Governor congratulated the Imo State President of the Association, Comrade Alphonsus Anyanwu, the Coordinator of Military Widows in the State, Mrs. Joy Moses, and their team, as well as the Nigerian Army, for setting aside a day to remember their colleagues who paid the supreme prize for Nigeria to be one.
He advised that the emblem appeal fundraising day should be taken seriously and, if possible, held at the same time as that of the federal government to enable the members to raise enough funds to manage their organization.
“The peace we have in the county today is a supreme prize by our past heroes. Hence we need to reciprocate the gesture by showing care to those they left behind, the main reason the Government of Imo State takes it seriously to support all their programs,” the Governor said.
He commended their contributions to the society, insisting that they have shown a great deal of commitment in helping to maintain peace in Imo State and elsewhere.
The governor also commended the entire security agencies for always being on their toes to defend the State against insurgency and terrorism.
Uzodimma assured that the Government will meet with the leadership of the Nigerian Legion to work out how best to engage the members “to protect the civil space, government, and private assets that are being grossly vandalized.”
He encouraged them to continue to keep fit and to do what they know how to do best and assured them that as partners in progress, they should never be tired of helping to protect society.
In her welcome remarks, the Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu thanked the Governor and his wife for the numerous ways they have supported the widows of the fallen heroes in the past years through different funding modes.
She said the appeal fund launching was a way of showing solidarity and support to the Legion, the wives of fallen heroes, and their families, as well as carrying out projects that will benefit them.
Mrs. Ugwu then appealed to the audience for generous support.
In his address, the President of the Nigerian Legion, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Anyanwu, also thanked the Governor and his wife for their support and special assistance to the union in general and the military widows in particular.
He appealed to the Governor to consider re-engaging the veterans in security matters in the State.
He had earlier appealed to the Governor to give them a vehicle, a permanent site to erect their secretariat, as well as an enhanced donation to the fund to help them take care of their numerous problems.
The Coordinator of Military Widows in Imo State, Mrs. Moses, captured the generosity of the Governor and his wife in a sentence, “We have never had it so good.”
Highlights of the ceremony were the decoration of the Governor, his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, among others, with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem, and the presentation of a VIP bus to the Legion by Governor Uzodimma.
Present at the launching were the Senator representing Imo West, Senator Osita Izunaso, and members of the State Expanded Executive Council.
Coordinator of the Military Widows Association in Imo State, Mrs. Joy Moses, decorates Governor Hope Uzodimma with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem during the launch and fundraising ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Government House Owerri.
