It was donation galore at the launch of the Emblem Appeal Fund on Tuesday in Kebbi State, during which more than N85 million was realised on the spot.
Kebbi State Government was the highest donor with N50 million, while Governor Nasir Idris, on behalf of himself, his family, and the Kauran Gwandu Foundation, donated N10 million cash to the ex-servicemen.
Security agencies combined, comprising the Army, the Police, NDLEA, Civil Defence, DSS, Customs, Immigration, Correctional Service, Road Safety, and the Vigilante, donated about N3 million.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, gave out N2 million, while the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Usman Zuru, the SSG, Yakubu Tafida, Head of Service, Malami Shekare, and the Forum for Special Advisers donated N1 million each.
Finance Commissioner, Abubakar Chika, on behalf of his colleagues, donated N5 million, while ALGON Chairman, Muhammad Dahiru Nayaya Ambursa, on behalf of the 21 Local Government Councils in the state, doled out N4.2 million.
Governor Nasir Idris warned all donors to redeem their pledges immediately, saying that the government would monitor the redemption of each donation.
“Donors must not look at the ex-servicemen as beggars; they are principal partners in nation-building. Do not suffer these old people in fulfilling your pledges.
“They have suffered for us; without them, we would not be here. Some of them mortgaged their lives, paid the supreme price to keep Nigeria united.
“For God’s sake, redeem what you promised them within the shortest possible time.
“The Armed Forces made sacrifices for the country. The Emblem Appeal Week is for reflection, to show gratitude and commitment, to embolden them in their onerous task of protecting the freedom and security of our nation.
“Many have given their lives in the fight against terrorism and banditry. They deserve respect and recognition. They made sacrifices to give the nation a safer environment to live in.
“Their legacy will never be forgotten. We stand in solidarity with them and their families. We must support them in whatever way possible.
“The citizenry must have a commitment to peace and security. We must stand against violence. We must promote unity among our people.
“We must carry the spirit of fallen heroes in our hearts always as we strive for a prosperous society,” Governor Nasir remarked.
He directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing to hasten the process of land acquisition for the Legion in Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru within one week, promising to attend the commissioning of the headquarters of the Legionnaires in Birnin Kebbi at a later date.
The governor further donated two Hajj seats to them for the 2025 Pilgrimage to Makkah.
The Chairman of the Kebbi Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, Rtd. Sergeant Garba Hassan Suru, thanked Comrade Nasir Idris for his compassion and benevolence over the years to the ex-servicemen and their families, including widows and children of fallen heroes.
He informed the governor that the total number of Legionnaires in Kebbi State and widows of fallen heroes were in the thousands, expressing appreciation to the Governor for his continued support to them.
Sgt. Suru solicited the Governor’s intervention in land acquisition by the Legion in the three other Emirates’ headquarters and invited him to grace the commissioning of their Secretariat at the Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi.
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