From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State government, Governor Nasir Idris, cabinet members, security agencies, as well as journalists working in the state, have donated over N80 million for the Nigerian Legion.
The donations were in support of the families of military officers who had sacrificed their lives for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
The Kebbi State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, led by its state chairman, Sergeant (rtd) Garba Hassan Suru, led his members to the Government House for the launching of the 2025 emblem.
While addressing the Legions, Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, who urged the citizens of Nigeria not only to donate to the Armed Remembrance Day, said they should inculcate the spirit of the fallen heroes in their hearts.
According to him, “In Kebbi State, we have witnessed the impact of insecurity and we have felt the pains of loss. Each life lost is unfortunate for the entire state, leaving a permanent loss on the communities.
“Let these emblems be a beacon of hope, symbols of assurance to assist our security agencies. It is a call for action to all of us to contribute to the peace of our communities, to stand against violence, and to promote unity and understanding among our people.”
“As we move forward, let us remember that the fight for peace is ongoing. We must work together—government, security agencies, and citizens alike—to ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes continue to leave a brighter future for Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.”
Earlier, the state chairman of the Kebbi State Nigerian Legion, Sergeant (rtd) Garba Hassan Suru, commended the Kebbi State Government for always taking care of the widows and families of the fallen heroes. He stressed that apart from giving the Legion Hajj slots, the state government had donated N20 million to them every year in the past.
He added that 2,428 members, with 16,600 widows, have been receiving a lot of welfare packages from the state government on various occasions.
He requested plots of land for the Legion Secretariats at the four Emirates, which was later approved by the state governor.
The launching of the 2025 emblem was attended by the head of security agencies in the state, deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Umar Abubakar, speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammed Usman Zuru, cabinet members, Vigilantes Group of Nigeria, ALGON chairman Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammad Dahiru Nayaya Ambursa, and media aides of the governor, who donated on behalf of the working journalists in the state.