Bauchi, – The sum of N4.66 million was realised at the Bauchi Chapter of the Armed Forces Remembrance and launching of 2016 Emblem Appeal Week.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bauchi State Government and Gov. Mohammed Abubakar gave the highest donation of N2 million and N1 million, respectively.
Mr Nuhu Gidado, the Deputy Governor of the state ranked third with the donation of N250,000, while the balance came from other government functionaries, military, para-military and other sister security agencies.
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Addressing the gathering, Abubakar described the retired military men as heroes who have sacrificed their lives to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
He said that it was disheartening that the welfare of the retirees and families of fallen heroes who lost their lives was left in the hand of the government instead of the citizens.
Abubakar assured that the state government would carter for the needs of the heroes and their families through secured loans both in cash and kinds to make them self reliant.
He called on officials of the state legion to be prudent in their spending to enable the fund donated transformed the lives of the members.
The governor, who made another personal donation of N250,000 cash to one Lt. Usman Lokoja (rtd), born in 1924, and who had participated in World II and Nigeria Civil War.
He directed the office of the secretary to the state government to revalidate government’s pledges for 2014/2015 made to the legion for payment.
Capt. Musa Duguri (rtd), Chairman, State Chapter, Nigerian Legion, had earlier urged the state government to settle the 2014/2015 pledges it made to the legion.
Duguri assured that members of the legion were ready to answer calls from the government to participate in the maintenance of security in the state.
He said that the legion was ever ready to support the government in whatever way possible to enable it excel. (NAN)
