Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to provide employment opportunities for legionnaires’ children in the State.
The governor said he understands that people are looking forward to enjoying improved economy in a peaceful environment, adding that his administration would not do anything that would take away such hope from them but work to actualise it.
Fubara made the promise at the 2024 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund Launching at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt.
He noted that without hope, it would be difficult for anybody to find any reason to live with optimism, which was why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was instructive because it aims to restore lost hope in Nigerians by improving the national economy.
“For us as a government, we believe, understand, and also appreciate that the only thing that keeps a man going is when he has hope. When you don’t have hope as a human being, you are gone.
“The government of today did not make a mistake by christening their mantra, ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. This hope is what we as a government will not take away from you. Rather, we will give you everything to see that there is hope,” the governor said.
Fubara expressed appreciation to the war veterans, both fallen and living, for making invaluable sacrifices that have kept Nigeria as a united country.
Identifying with legionnaires, Fubara recalled how as a child of a soldier, his late mother used to benefit from such welfare donations made on days like this.
The governor who, on behalf of the state government, launched the emblem with N30million, promised to also redeem previous financial grants made to the legion.
In his opening address, Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, said war veterans, fallen and living, had shown greater love in defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria, and ensured that its citizenry live in peace.
Danagogo requested reciprocal gestures to the patriots by the citizenry in appreciating the heroic efforts as a means of inspiring them to do more with necessary support that would cushion the pains the war veterans had suffered as well as the surviving members of the families of those who had paid the supreme price.
“We, therefore, beseech your support now and always, so that the labours of these selfless compatriots, shall not be in vain. So, that those fighting for us, right now, will be inspired.
“I invite you all to donate to the cause of these veterans, their widows and families. If you can give cash, let it create impact. If you can offer prayers, let it be effective. If it is job, let it be sustaining. But by all means, donate for the families of these forgotten patriots,” Danagogo stated.
On his part, Chairman, Rivers State Command of Nigerian Legion, Assistant Controller General (ACG), Rev. Canon Charles Hart, remarked that the emblem appeal launch event kick-started the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration to honour military officers who had paid the supreme price while enthroning and sustaining peace, unity, freedom and protection of Nigeria.
Hart reminded the governor that in January 2023, the state government had promised the legion a grant of N100million as welfare support, which was yet to be released.
He also hinted that because of lack of fund, 50 students currently on the legion’s scholarship scheme risk dropping out of school, and appealed for the governor’s quick intervention to address the financial challenges facing the legion.
