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By Philip Nwosu
More than 600 widows of fallen military personnel and 20 physically challenged veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces have benefited from palliatives donated by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council. The distribution, which included bags of rice, educational materials and cash gifts, took place on Tuesday during the Lagos Legion Day celebration held at the Multi-Agency Office Complex Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos.
Beneficiaries drawn from the Military Fallen Heroes Association (MFHA) and the Military Widows Association (MIWA) commended the Lagos Legion Council for ensuring transparent distribution of the governor’s donations.
Physically challenged and elderly veterans also expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council, Mr Akeem Wolimoh, for ensuring that all categories of members were accommodated in the exercise.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, graced the occasion and presented a token gift to the Lagos Legion Council to support its activities. He was represented by the Director of Veteran Health, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Edet Effiong.
In his remarks, Shaibu urged veterans to remain physically active even in retirement to maintain good health. He also encouraged them to take advantage of the Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) scheme to ensure proper medical care for themselves and their families.
Speaking at the event, Wolimoh disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu recently donated 500 bags of 25kg rice and pledged N100 million to support the activities of the Legion.
He explained that the food items and educational materials procured from the governor’s pledge would go a long way in meeting the needs of widows and veterans. “The Nigerian Legion is established to foster comradeship among military veterans, sustain sociability and promote peace and harmony,” Wolimoh said.
“The Lagos Legion Veterans Day was organised to fulfill this purpose as well as to meet the needs of our widows and members. We appreciate Governor Sanwo-Olu for his immense support and generosity.”
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He added that the council had initiated an educational support programme under which 25 students would be assisted annually with funds for their schooling.
Mrs Esther Leko, Coordinator of the MFHA, described life without their husbands as very challenging, especially in the areas of feeding and payment of school fees. She thanked the Lagos Legion chairman for his efforts in alleviating their sufferings.
“I thank God for the chairman, who has been like a father to us and is always willing to assist,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Eno Zamani, Coordinator of MIWA, appreciated the council for accepting the association into the Legion, noting that although the partnership was still new, there were signs of better days ahead.
One of the beneficiaries, Seaman Azeez Ganui, a physically challenged veteran who uses a wheelchair, said he received two new wheelchair batteries and a bag of rice.
“I am happy with what was given to me. I thank the chairman for ensuring that these gifts reached us,” he said.
Another beneficiary, retired Army Warrant Officer Ganui Odunuga, who received N100,000 and a bag of rice, expressed joy over the gesture and prayed for continued wisdom for the Lagos State Government and the Legion leadership.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Layode, assured of continued government support for the Nigerian Legion. He was represented at the event by Ms Silva Ope, a director in the ministry.
