2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day:
DELGA Chairman Drums Support For Legionnaires
•••Says Fallen Heroes Sacrificed To Keep Nigeria United

As the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day is commemorated across the Nation, the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, has appealed to spirited individuals in the society to support the welfare of serving, retired and fallen heroes of the country.

Speaking at the occasion, which took place at the Council headquarters in Degema, the Chairman stated that by remembering the sacrifices of men of the Armed Forces, it would motivate those in active service to know that their efforts were well acknowledged, and would also encourage families of fallen heroes to know that the Nation honours and remembers their loved ones.

"The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a special day set aside to celebrate, honour and remember our heroes that risked their lives for us to be safe.

"Although some of them have passed on, yet some others are still here with us, either on retirement or in active service to the Nation.

"Occasions like this therefore gives us an opportunity to remember and appreciate their gallantry and selfless sacrifice, and for those fallen heroes, it is incumbent on us to remember their widows, children and loved ones they left behind, and give them the little support we can, to encourage them, as well as motivate those still in service," he said.

The Council Boss, who donated the sum of One Million Naira (1,000,000,00) to the Legionnaires in Degema LGA, also motivated other principal officers of his administration, councillors and other stakeholders to make compassionate donations towards the welfare of the Ex-Servicemen in the LGA.

He encouraged the Legionnaires to continue to believe in the Country they sacrificed to keep united and make judicious use of whatever is given to them, adding that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

He added that his administration, just like that of Governor Nyesom Wike, believes in the unity of Nigeria and would continue to support the security operatives, who put their lives in the line to secure the territorial integrity of the Country.

Earlier, Chairman of the Legionnaires in DELGA, Soye Duke, had in his address, commended the Council Chairman for his massive support to the Legionnaires, both at the State and LGA levels.

Soye Duke, who is also the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Council Chairman, also thanked the Chairman for his compassionate disposition towards the Legion, adding that they had never been so cared for in the past.

He bemoaned the lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude of Nigeria towards men of the Armed Forces, who sacrificed their all for the peace and security of the Nation, calling for an attitudinal change in that regard.

"To tell ourselves the bitter truth, it does appear that this is the only period we talk about the sacrifice made by these fallen heroes, who laid down their lives for all of us.

"It is rather unfortunate that these great heroes, being referred to as fallen heroes and the veterans; these gentlemen who actually paid the ultimate price, are not genuinely respected and appreciated.

"It is sad and painful that the same society they died for, have suddenly turned against them at a time like this.

"It is with this regret in our hearts that we are appealing to the general public to change their perception about the veterans, fallen heroes and their dependents, because these groups of gentlemen need your care, love and support," Duke stated.

Highpoint of the ceremony was laying of wreath by the Council Chairman, alongside heads of other military and paramilitary agencies in the LGA.

The event was well attended by dignitaries and stakeholders including the Council Boss, Hon. Michael John Williams, Commander of 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Major Ayuba, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Friday Eboka; represented by the Police Area Commander, ACP Lawal Adamu Shinkafi and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Degema, SP Hamza.

Others include; representatives from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Customs Service, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Legionnaires, as well as widows of Ex-Servicemen.

Others were, Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) in Delga, Directors in the various Ministries/Department and Traditional rulers and chiefs of the Degema Traditional Rulers Council.

Also in attendance were, the Vice Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Mrs. Maureen Harry, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delga, Disciple Peter Abbey, as well as top functionaries and other appointees of the administration.


Daerefa-a Christopher Braide
Chief Press Secretary,
Degema Local Government Council.

January 15, 2022

one minute silent to our gallant fallen heroes