Rivers Donates N150m Annually to Nigerian Legionnaires

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said the state government within the last six year of his tenure has donated not less than N150 million to the Nigerian legionnaires annually.

This as the governor has stated the need for the federal government not to abandon its responsibility of catering to the welfare of men and officers of the security agencies to the States.

He said if the resources donated to the legionnaires was well- managed, it would have provided them a secretariat without going hand-in-cap to government.

Governor Wike spoke, yesterday at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) Emblem Appeal Fund Launching ceremony, held in Government House Port Harcourt.

Wike, who was reacting to the request for the provision of secretariat for the Nigerian legion, wondered what the leadership of the legion does with the monetary supports that they receive each year.

According to him, it remains puzzling that the legionnaires in the State are unable to provide some basic operational facility like a secretariat for themselves.

“If you check for the six years, I have launched this emblem with not less than N20 million in every year. And check each January 15th, I have given you not less than N150million.

So, when you calculate, you can have your own secretariat.”

In the area of providing necessary support to the security agencies, Wike urged the federal government not to abdicate its responsibility to fend for security agencies to the States.

“The military is under the federal government, the police is under the federal government. So don’t shift responsibility of the federal government to states. What we are merely doing is to support,” he said.

He assured stakeholders that his administration will not relent in its support to men and officers of the Nigerian military who have fought tirelessly in keeping the country united at great cost of their life.

Wike noted that though January 15th every year is the Remembrance Day in particular, the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch is organised earlier to raise money to support the Nigerian legionnaires.

“What we are merely doing is to support. What is the federal government doing for you? So, everything should not be left in the hands of the State.”

In his speech, Rivers State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, ACG Justice Chichi esq. said patriotic citizens are gathered to consider how to continue ameliorating the harsh and unfriendly challenges that confront legionnaires.

According to him, “these war veterans, some have been living with hurts and others have died while fighting to keep the flag of freedom flying.”

He urged Nigerians to spend the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in sober reflection of those sacrifices and renew commitment to the welfare of the veterans, widows and dependents of the fallen heroes in Rivers State.

“Your Excellency sir, after an in-depth arithmetic of the immeasurable supports which we are enjoying of your administration as the Governor of Rivers State and our patron, I am led to, with humility and respect, that, I know of no one who has contributed more than you to the welfare of the legionnaires. The gift of giving for the welfare support of the needy has earned you the admiration of everyone,” he said.

The Rivers State Government launched the emblem with the sum of N20 million, the 23 council chairmen collectively launched it with N23 million, while the State legislature and judiciary did same with N2 million respectively.