Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has asked the Federal Government to take charge of its responsibility of catering for Nigerians, including the welfare of the men and officers of the security agencies.
Speaking at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) Emblem Appeal Fund Launching ceremony on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike, said the state governments are only providing necessary support.
He assured that his administration would not relent in its support to men and officers of the Nigerian military who have fought tirelessly in keeping the country united at great cost of their life.
Wike said that though January 15 every year is the Remembrance Day in particular, the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch is organised earlier to raise money to support the Nigerian Legionnaires.
“What we are merely doing is to support. What is the Federal Government doing for you? So, everything should not be left in the hands of the state.”
Governor Wike, in reaction to the request for the provision of secretariat for the Nigerian legion, wondered what the leadership of the legion does with the monetary supports that they receive each year.
He said it remains puzzling that the legionnaires in the state are unable to provide some basic operational facility like a secretariat for themselves.
The governor said the Rivers State government alone, within the last six years of his tenure, has donated not less than N150 million to them annually, and if the resources were well-managed, would have provided them a secretariat without going cap in hand to government.
“If you check for the six years, I’ve launched this emblem with not less than N20 million in every year. And check each January 15th, I have given you not less than N150 million. So, when you calculate, you can have your own secretariat.”
The governor urged the Federal Government not to abdicate its responsibility to fend for security agencies to the states.
