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From Tony Osauzo, Benin, Okey Sampson, Umuahia, Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar and Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia have called for more support for the Armed Forces for their sacrifices to ensure the unity of the nation.
Speaking to journalists at the Museum ground, Oba Ovonramwen square, Benin City, venue for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance day celebration, Governor Okpebholo: “We are here today to honour our fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the continuous existence and unity of Nigeria. We are all gathered to honour them. I believe that their souls are resting in peace and pray that their families bear the loss.
“I appeal to those that are still in active service to put in their best in serving their father’s land. I believe that God will preserve Nigeria to continue to honour those that are alive and dead for their great sacrifices to keep the nation as one entity,” he said.
State Coordinator, Military Widows Association, Umar Sheriffat, called on the government to continue to support the widows of the fallen heroes whose husbands have sacrificed and paid the supreme price with their lives.
She appealed to relevant authority to recognise the widows and empower them to enable them take care of the children their husbands left behind
Major Joe Koma (retd) appealed for more care for retirees as it will encourage those still in active service.
“I appealed to relevant authorities to ensure that retirees get appropriate care as this will be a motivating factor for those still serving.
“We have sacrificed our lives for Nigeria and we need more care. Our pensions are paid regularly but I appeal for an increase,” he said.
•Otu renews commitment to welfare of veterans, families
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar, said that his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation,” he said.
Otu further said that widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme,” he said.
Earlier, the Cross River Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said that families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs Miriam Orok, thanked the governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under Our. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion, ” she said.
The event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
•Abiodun reaffirms commitment to families of fallen heroes
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of families of fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the peace and stability of the country.
Abiodun made the pledge at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Arcade Ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, pledged continuous assistance to veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces in recognition of their selfless service to the nation.
He said war veterans deserved to be celebrated, noting that the unity and integration being enjoyed by Nigerians were outcomes of their patriotism and dedication while in active service.
According to him, the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is part of efforts to honour both fallen heroes and serving officers despite the challenges facing the nation’s security sector.
“We are celebrating our armed forces who continue to serve this country in spite of all the challenges, putting their lives on the line for the unity and security of the nation.
“We are also remembering our fallen heroes who died in the course of duty and those who were maimed in the course of service. That is why today is a joint celebration,” he said.
According to him, remembering the sacrifices of fallen heroes and caring for their families is the best way to keep their legacies alive.
He urged Nigerians to show love, compassion and support to the families of those who paid the ultimate price for the nation.
While offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers, Abiodun assured that his administration would not relent in supporting the families they left behind.
Other News
•Otti urges citizens to learn from 1966 coup, civil war
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has urged citizens of the state in particular and Nigeria in general to learn lessons from history, particularly the 1966 coup and the civil war.
Otti, who made the plea in Umuahia on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, added that violence should have no place in the state and the country at large.
The Governor commended the leadership of the various security agencies in the state for their unyielding resolve to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
He paid glowing tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in active duty in the state within the last one year and revealed that the government had made a commitment to provide for the welfare of the spouses and children of the deceased personnel.
These he said will be in the areas of offering avenues of sustenance to the adults and scholarships for the children to continue their education up to tertiary level.
He reminded them that their exceptional courage they bring to the discharge of their duties have improved the social and economic realities of Abia residents and led to relative peace in the state.
The governor promised that the state government would continue to provide every necessary support required to maintain law and order in every part the state
He urged residents of the state to take actions that will promote peace, unity and protect the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.
He equally advised residents to be mindful of their actions, stressing that citizens should not be allowed to be misled by religious extremists.
“At all times, we must consider it more prudent to place diplomacy and tolerance above actions and rhetoric that are inimical to national unity and peaceful coexistence,” Otti said.
•Nigeria must remain indivisible entity –Alia
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and his Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, also laid wreaths to honour the nation’s fallen and living heroes.
Governor Alia, during the occasion stressed the need for Nigeria to remain one indivisible entity as a mark of honour to members of the Armed Forces who paid the ultimate prize by giving up their lives in defense of the peace and territorial integrity of the nation.
The governor, who led members of the State Executive Council, State Assembly, top Judicial officials, Traditional rulers, Service Chiefs and others, joined heads of military formations in the state to lay the wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier which was the climax of activities marking this year’s celebration.
Other dignitaries who laid the wreathes include the Speaker of the Benue Assembly, Berger Alfred Emberga, the Tor-Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, the Och’Idoma, Dr. John Odogbo, members of Legion of Ex-Servicemen and other uniform men.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the ceremony which was held at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square Makurdi, Governor Alia acknowledged the contributions of men and officers of the Armed Forces towards protecting lives and property not only in Benue but across the nation.
Governor Alia who appreciated the Nigeria Armed Forces for the work they do also called for support for the families of those who died in the line of duty.
During the ceremony, the Governor inspected the Guard Of Honour while special prayers were offered by Christian and Muslim clerics for the Armed Forces.
•Veterans applaud MPB over e-verification, urge improved welfare
Military veterans have applauded the Military Pensions Board (MPB) for the introduction of electronic pension verification, describing it as a major relief that has eased stress and improved access to pension services for retirees.
A retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Mr Emmanuel Waniko, said the digital verification process had eliminated the hardship associated with physical verification exercises, which often required long-distance travel and prolonged waiting periods.
He commended the Board for embracing technology to improve service delivery.
“The pension verification is very effective now. You can do it from the comfort of your home without travelling or spending days at offices,” he said.
Waniko however, called on the Federal Government to review pensions and gratuities upward in view of rising inflation, fuel price increases and high transportation costs.
He also appealed for targeted support for retired military personnel engaged in agriculture, noting that the cost of fertiliser, agro-chemicals and farm machinery had become prohibitive.
Similarly, a retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, Magaji Abdallah, described the electronic verification initiative as “wonderful,” saying it had particularly benefited retirees living in rural areas and those outside the country.
“I did my verification in my village before coming to Abuja, and it was very successful. It saves us from travelling long distances and queuing for days,” he said.
While commending government efforts in healthcare, including the Defence Health Maintenance scheme and periodic medical outreaches, Abdallah urged authorities to address housing challenges facing retirees and expand healthcare coverage to include more drugs and services.
On her part, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Henry, reaffirmed that the electronic pension verification had strengthened transparency and efficiency in the administration of military pensions, while also reducing the burden on elderly veterans.
Henry also clarified issues surrounding healthcare coverage for veterans, explaining that access to free medical treatment was tied to registration with the Defence Health Maintenance Organisation (DHMO) and treatment at approved hospitals.
She assured veterans that the Legion was engaging relevant ministries and agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, to secure subsidised farm inputs and implements for retired personnel involved in farming.
According to her, sustained collaboration between the government, the Military Pensions Board and the Nigerian Legion was essential to improving the welfare, health and post-service livelihoods of military veterans across the country.
