Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Sanwo-Olu pledges continued support for families of fallen heroes

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, assured that the state government will continue to render support and assistance to families of fallen heroes.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance at the laying of wreaths in honour of fallen heroes, which was held at the military arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, in commemoration of Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Speaking with journalists after the laying of the wreath, the governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said that the day’s event signalled the culmination of the launch of the emblem and donation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hamzat, while noting that the fallen heroes all sacrificed their lives, said every year, contributions were made in their honour and remembrance, just as he urged Nigerians to “also contribute, because those people left people behind, they are heroes.”

“We all know they sacrificed their lives, so it’s an honour for them and we pray for them. And we also use this time to remember them. This is the culmination of when Mr President launched this movement.

“And Nigerians should also contribute, because those people left people behind, they are heroes. So for us, we should take some of their children and be responsible for their upkeep. So it’s not just about this parade, it’s about that process.

“And we just hope that Nigerians will keep it, so that we can always help to sustain families of our fallen heroes. So that’s basically the essence of this, to remember and to tell them that they cannot be forgotten,” he said.

“The legions are some of the eligible, they are veterans. And so every year they come, this year about two weeks ago they came to the Secretariat and we did things. We don’t need to meet them publicly. We do things for them, we collaborate throughout the year,” he added.

The deputy governor further added that the state government also renders assistance to agencies representing their interest, while employment opportunities were given to some families of the fallen heroes.

According to him, the state government does offer scholarship opportunities to their children, saying that the state administration was always striving every year “to get better by listening to them and sustaining their families.”

The event witnessed a parade by the Nigerian Armed Forces, the releasing of pigeons from a cage signifying freedom, and a 21-gun salute.

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