Wike canvasses permanent reward system for war veterans

TRACKING____Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, canvassed a permanent reward system for war veterans to justify the sacrifices they make in keeping Nigeria safe and united.

He said officers of the armed forces would be emboldened to continue to risk their lives in defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, knowing that there was a permanent reward system to cater for them and their families.

He stated this at the 2021 Emblem Appeal Fund Launching mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Port Harcourt yesterday. Wike explained that most people do not quite appreciate the enormity of the hardship and trauma families go through losing their breadwinners who have volunteered to be part of the security agencies.

The governor said if not for the solders and other security agencies who risk their lives daily to protect the rest of the citizens, insurgency would have been worse in the country.

He stated that one of the reasons some policemen were targeted and killed during the #EndSARS protests, was because they prevented sundry crimes in society.

He also assured that his administration would continue to offer members of the state branch of the Nigerian Legion necessary support to cushion the effect of economy hardship on them.

Governor Wike also redeemed the N171m pledge to the Nigerian Legion for their children’s scholarship and donated N20m to launch the emblem and enjoined the 23 councils to donate N1m each in support of the veterans.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said the Emblem Appeal Launch offered another opportunity for individuals and corporate bodies to support the veterans for their sacrifices and boost their morale.

Danagogo said the Wike administration had, over the years, invested in promoting the welfare of the state chapter of the Nigerian Legion.

He stated that the governor recently gave N20m each to widows of the six soldiers and four police officers, who were killed by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in Oyigbo.

Rivers State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Justice Chichi, noted that Nigeria was still immersed in the fight against Boko Haram, bandits and other insurgencies, noting that the security agencies are ready to confront them, as their commitment to protect the sovereignty of Nigeria and ensure safer climate for economic growth.