Minister Tasks legion On Members’ Welfare

Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero has challenged the Nigerian Legion to establish a foundation that would cater for the welfare of the ex-service men in the country.

Senator Aliero said this yesterday in Abuja when he was decorated with the emblem of the 2010 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in his office in Garki District, Abuja.

Senator Aliero reiterated that though it is an annual national ritual, the Remembrance Day should go beyond constantly soliciting for funds or any form of assistance for the well-being of the ex-service men who have suffered any form of deformity.

According to him, the society should do more for those who have sacrificed their lives by paying the supreme price for the unity and peaceful co-existence of the nation.

His words: “They have done a lot for this country and they are still doing things which, no doubt, deserves recognition for all and sundry”.

He called for the fast tracking of the process of payment of retirement benefits to the ex-service men to spur those still in service to sacrifice and be more loyal to the nation.

The Minister pledged a donation of an undisclosed amount of money towards the celebration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day expected to climax on January 15.

He directed the Federal Capital Development Authority to renovate and decorate the venue of the event, thereby taking such expenses off coffers of the Nigerian Legion.

Speaking earlier, Brigadier-General John Kwabe remarked that they were in the Minister’s office to decorate him in compliance with the directive of the Federal Executive Council.

Brigadier-General Kwabe thanked the Minister for the warm reception accorded his team.

Justus Awaji, Abuja