By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has pledged to incorporate ex-servicemen in the security architecture of the state to ensure lasting peace.
The governor made this known at the launch and sale of the emblem to mark commencement of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
He said: “The State Government will continue to involve ex-servicemen in the security architecture of the state including membership of the state security committee.
“Let me use this medium to emphasise that the Special Adviser on Security to the Government is a retired military officer.”
The governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Senator Umar Abubakar-Tafida, acknowledged that it was apt to show respect to the fallen heroes and remember those gallant officers of the Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives to keep Nigeria and the world at peace.
While commending officers and men of the military and other security agencies currently engaged in combat against insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality, the governor observed that the occasion called for sober reflection.
Governor Idris pledged continued support to the legion to cater for ex-servicemen and their families and donated N20 million to the state chapter of Nigerian Legion to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
The governor also announced allocation of Hajj seat to the legion for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and promised to look into the issue of land allocation for the construction of secretariat for the ex-servicemen.
Introducing the commencement of the emblem appeal week, the Head of Service, Alhaji Sufyanu Garba-Bena said this had been an annual event from 12th to 15th January every year to commemorate the nation’s compatriots and honour living veterans of the military.
Earlier, the chairman Kebbi chapter of the Nigerian Legion, Sargent Garba Hassan-Suru (retried) affirmed the support and loyalty of ex-servicemen to the administration of Governor Nasir Idris-led administration.
The chairman equally solicited for land allocation to the legionnaires in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi as well as in other local government areas of the state.
Highlights of the occasion include the donation of N20 million to the legion by the state government while Commissioners made a donation of N1 million with similar amount from the 21 local government chairmen.
The chairman of the Legion also decorated the Deputy Governor with appeal emblem signifying commencement of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
