The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Legion on Thursday empowered 250 widows, orphans, disabled and aged ex-servicemen.
Speaking during the empowerment programme at Oshodi, the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said that the gesture was a promise made and fulfilled by the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Elegushi said that the government and the Nigerian Legion were empowering the people, so that they would in turn empower others.
He said that empowerment was very key to lifting people from poverty and a means of showing concern to families of fallen heroes.
“At is said, it is better they teach you how to catch fish than to give you fish.
“The governor made a promise; the promise has been kept and that is what is manifesting today at this empowerment.
“I want to thank the outgoing chairman, Baba Samuel Akande, for also keeping his promise too, because you promised the governor that you would do justice to the fund, and as I can see you have done more than justice.
“I want to say that this is just a start. Mr governor has promised that we will continue to improve, to give more so that more people can be captured,” he said.
The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to put the empowerment items into good use.
“Please help put these things into proper use, so that we will have that courage to do more.
“The governor asked me to promise that we will continue to do more, and you know Mr governor for one thing – he will always fulfil his promise.
“As we are moving into another Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the government is ready for our usual support and as I said earlier, there will be great improvement in what we have been doing before,” he said.
Elegushi urged the beneficiaries to pray for and support the government, because government had great plans for them.
“What you are seeing today is an introductory page of a whole book, we are still going to open the book and everyone will have the course to smile,” he said.
He urged the people to continue to pray for the unity of the country, as that was what the fallen heroes fought for.
“We thank God for the unity we are enjoying in this country and I pray that nothing will jeopardise that unity.
“This is the unity our heroes fought for, they died because of this unity, they have paid the greatest price, please let us sustain what they left; they left the unity,” Elegushi said.
In his opening speech, the outgoing Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, Col. Samuel Akande (rtd), said that the empowerment was possible from Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s magnanimous donation of N50 million.
Akande said the programme was part of the anual Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
He said that the empowerment was to touch the lives of widows and orphans of ex-servicemen, and put smile on the faces of aged comrades who served their fatherland meritoriously.
According to him, this kind of empowerment and welfare support will boost the morale of serving military personnel, with the hope and assurance of care for their families after serving the nation.
“In the course of this event, various items, clothing materials and cash will be given to widows, orphans, disabled and aged ex-servicemen drawn from the 57 Local Government Areas (LCDA) in Lagos State for empowerment and welfare purpose.
“The Nigerian Legion as an organisation will not cease to thank His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State each time we have the opportunity to do so, because his love and support for the welfare of the Nigerian Legion is evident by his numerous donations and grants toward our cause,” he said. (NAN)
