Wike Sends Message To FG Over Biafran War Veterans

Wike Sends Message To FG Over Biafran War Veterans

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said on Tuesday that the yearly collection of funds for the welfare of Biafran war veterans and families of fallen heroes is unsustainable and should be discouraged.

Governor Wike suggested that the Federal Government should set up a standing fund for that purpose, which will be replenished with yearly budgetary allocation “as it is done in countries that truly values the contributions of the security agencies”.

Governor Wike spoke at the Rivers State Emblem Appeal Fund Launch, which was held at Government House’s Banquet Hall in Port Harcourt.

Read Also We Can Build In Difficult Time – Tinubu Tells South-South APC Stakeholders

The governor emphasized that the day set aside to launch the emblem should only be for remembrance, reflecting on the sacrifices made by men and women of the armed forces in keeping Nigerians together and ensuring the country’s peace.

“I think that we are tired in this country with every year meeting to launch emblem to support families of the fallen heroes.

“What I thought, as is done in advance countries, the day should be used for remembrance of their (veterans) efforts.

“That means, by now, as a country, we should have a standing fund that will take care of the families of the fallen heroes. That is what serious countries should be talking about,” he said.

When this is accomplished, Governor Wike stated, the call on individuals and corporate entities by legionnaires will no longer be the norm.

Governor Wike noted that when the day is spent soliciting financial support as an ongoing measure of sustenance for legionnaires, it becomes a mockery.

“When you say, you solicit for support of corporate bodies, they laugh at us and say what kind of country is this.

“People who have fought for you. People who have laid down their lives for you to be alive to survive, to continue with what you are doing, we are still talking about how do we support them?”

Governor Wike remarked that it is most likely the reason why officers of the nation’s security agencies are not committed to professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“They know when they die, all they will hear is launching of emblem to help their families.

“So, they are involved in so many things to take care of their families in case anything happens to them,” he narrated.