Over 600 widows and 20 physically challenged military veterans were given palliative support by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council.
The support, which included rice, educational materials, and cash gifts, was distributed during the celebration of Lagos Legion Day held at the Multi-Agency Office Complex Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, urged veterans to stay active in retirement and take advantage of the Defence Health Maintenance Limited for their health needs.
Shaibu, represented by Director, Veteran Health, Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Edet Effiong, presented a token gift to support the activities of the Lagos Legion.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Layode, represented by a director in the ministry, Silva Ope, promised Sanwo-Olu’s continuous support to the activities of the legion.
At the event, the Lagos Legion Chairman, Akeem Wolimoh, disclosed that the governor had donated 500 bags of 25kg rice and pledged N100m to support their activities.
He said, “The governor of Lagos State has been supporting us immensely, and we appreciate him for making all these donations for the widows and our veterans possible.”
The chairman added that the council had put up an initiative to ensure that every year, 25 students would be given a certain amount as support funds for their education from the Nigerian Legion.
Beneficiaries, including the Coordinator, Widows of Military Fallen Heroes Association, Esther Leko, expressed gratitude for the support.
“Life without my husband has been difficult, but the legion’s efforts have eased our hardships. I thank God for the chairman, who has been like a father to us,” she said.
The Coordinator, Military Widows Association, Eno Zamani, thanked the chairman for accepting the association into the legion so that they too could be beneficiaries of whatever was obtainable.
Another beneficiary and a retired Army Warrant Officer, who was also the first Regimental Sergeant Major of the National War College in 1995, Ganui Odunuga, prayed for more wisdom and grace for the Lagos State Government and Lagos Legion Council.
