Jan. 15, 2023
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, has assured serving, retired and families of deceased military personnel of Federal Government’s commitment to ensure improvement in their welfare and wellbeing.
Kana gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen at the wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) on Sunday in Abuja.
The AFRDC is celebrated globally to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by citizens for the cause of peace.
In Nigeria, January 15, is set aside annually to honour fallen heroes who laid down their lives in service to humanity during the first and second world wars, Nigerian civil war, peace support and various internal security operations.
The event is also used to honour veterans still alive and as a medium for soliciting financial, moral and material support for families of the fallen heroes.
The permanent secretary said there was need to celebrate and honour those who had given their lives for the peace of the country, adding that Nigeria would not have been where it is today without the armed forces.
He said the government would continue to remember their sacrifices and ensure that the injured were given adequate and better medical care.
“For those who are still serving, the Nigerian government is committed to providing the best platforms in terms of equipment and arms and ammunition they require to continue to protect the country.
“For those who got injured in battle fronts, government has put in place the best medical services that will cater for their health needs, not just the personnel but also their families.
“For those who lost their lives, we will continue to ensure prompt payment of their benefits to their families and also continue to remember them at a time like this,” he said.
The Chairman, Nigerian Legion, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Malik Jibril, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards the welfare and wellbeing of the military veterans.
Jibril said the government had done a lot for the veterans, adding that there was no military veteran that would complain of non-payment of his or her entitlements.
He however called on the government to continue to improve on their welfare and attend to their requests whenever the need arise.
The President, Military Widows Association, Mrs. Veronica Aluko, called on well meaning Nigerians to continue to support widows of the fallen heroes through the association.
The French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Guillaume Dujon, expressed delight with the celebration, saying his country shared similar military tradition with Nigeria.
Dujon said that Nigeria and France had maintained cordial military relations over the years, adding that France has been offering support to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in the North East. (NAN)
