By Chimezie Godfrey
More than N27.1 million was collected at the launch of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance emblem on Thursday in Sokoto.
Sokoto state government led donors with the highest donation of N10 million followed by other functionaries of the state including members of the executive council who gave N1.3 million, the 23 local governmen councils that parted with N2.3 million, the Sokoto state House of Assembly (SOHA), donated N1 million, while Permanent Secretaries and Directors -General boosted the launch with N1.6 million.
The Sultanate Council of Sokoto was also not left out. It gave the ex-soldiers N500,000, while the chief launcher, Alhaji Kabiru Tafida donated N5 million followed by Mijirya Construction Company, which doled our N2 million.
BUA Group, a leading foods, infrastructure, mining and manufacturing conglomerate, gave the veteran soldiers N1 million.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state while launching the emblem urged Nigerians to always look after the families of the fallen heroes in the country.
According to him, the fallen heroes and those who survived, after defending their country, would continue to be fondly remembered for their diligence and selfless service to the nation, pointing out that Nigerian Army, over the decades, has contributed immensely to the stability of the country.
Gov. Tambuwal who also commended the federal government for its proclamation of bandits as terrorists, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to give all the necessary support to the security agents in order to address the security challenges in the state and the country in general.
Tambuwal said this can be done by deploying more personnel, improving welfare of them, provision of modern technology of equipments among others.
He commended the various security agencies for sustaining peace, unity and harmonious co-existence among the people in the state, adding that the government of Sokoto state, in collaboration with the security agencies, have been working round-the-clock to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.
He, therefore, urged the general public, irrespective of their religion or political differencies, to continue to give maximum support to the authorities, in addressing the challenges of insecurity in the state and the country at large.
He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar for his role in preaching peace and unity in the country.
He also thanked the chief launcher and co- launchers for their donations.
