Olamilekan Folayemi
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has called for a robust welfare package for both serving and retired security personnel.
The Governor made the call at the launching of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem.
Governor Sani Bello who noted that the welfare of security personnel across the country needed to be given priority in order to boost their morale called on Nigerians to take out time to contribute to their welfare, adding that it should be often and not annually.
“What we are doing today is symbolic. It won’t bring them back and that is why when opportunities like this come we must make good use of them . This is to show that we stand by them.”
“What we do today is to show appreciation for what they have done for Niger state and Nigeria. Some of them paid a very serious prize in trying to keep us safe. It is important especially in these days where we are dealing with insurgency.
“In Niger for example we are dealing with bandits we have a lot of security operatives ensuring our safety in different parts of the state.
“As a matter of fact because of how Nigeria is today, the welfare of the security agents is nothing to write home about and that has affected their morale and their motivation.”
“I strongly believe security agents both serving and retired should be properly taking care of as means of encouraging other security personnel to know that their efforts and death is not in vain.”
Earlier, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Niger State Council Mamuda Baba Ahmed explained that the yearly celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance is to pay tribute to all those who fought selflessly for the peace and unity of the country by paying the ultimate price.
The Chairman appealed to all to donate generously to the Legion so as to assist the numerous dependents of free fallen heroes.He also requested for an operational vehicle for the group for easy movement.