The NANS Zone B Directorate of Special Duties headed by her ebullient Director, Comrade Olisa, Alfred Nwuruku, has been relentless in her several efforts in making sure that the students under the coverage of the Zone do not get damned by the effects of the spreading pandemic of the time, being guided by the intelligence that the country is presently bereaved of fortunes.

Part of the efforts of the NANS Representative and his team, is the initiation of radio programs that would always feature the Students' leaders to discuss the plights of the students at this hard time.

As was earlier brought to your notice today, the radio program majorly for briefing which was scheduled for 5pm today at the Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), featuring Technical Assitant to the Governor on Students' Affairs, Comr. Odono Angel, The NANS Zone B Director of Special Duties, Comrade Olisa Alfred Nwuruku, NANS JCC Vice Chairman Ebonyi State -Comr. Nwite Oluchi, Ogbu Emmanuel (Immediate past SUG President, Ebonyi State University) and Comr. Njoku Francis Ogbonna Caesar (Immediate Past SUG President AE-FUNAI), was a huge success.

The Radio program which centered on the TOPIC "THE PLIGHT OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS IN CURBING COVID-19" actually captured several expositions revealing the supposed present condition of an average Nigerian Student who's possibly bedridden of fortunes by the threat of the time and also included several measures devised by the Students' leaders in helping the Students to pass through the scorches of the scourge, which measures include several strides geared towards requesting relief materials from the State Government and and other well meaning philanthropists from the start who truly understands the meaning of the time.

The Radio program shall be held again by next week Tuesday same time, and shall feature the five SUG Presidents in Ebonyi State in conjunction with NANS Zone B Directorate of Special Duties, we also enjoin you to tune in your radio timely to be part of this program.

While the NANS Representative sympathises with all the Students in the Zone who are adversely affected by the pandemic, he also encourages all the students who're constrained indoors to do harness this compulsory break especially in delving deep into studies, learning entrepreneurial skills, engaging on online learning platforms and queuing into other promising possibilities of life within the time frame while we collectively pray that the Pandemic short lives.

As it concerns the resumption of Academic Activities in the State and in the country at large, the NANS Representative has stressed on the indecisive indications surrounding this very possibility, responsibly caused by numerous untold factors. "No government be it State or Federal benefits from keeping her people at home, so we are sure that as long as it is feasible, we will resume”..He said.

There NANS Representative also advised Nigerian Students in the Zone to take active parts in the fight against the virus..“ The lockdown is not anyone's fault, so we must work together with the relevant authorities to ensure that the pandemic doesn't last including working together with the Ebonyi State Government's Committee on Covid 19 ably led by his Excellency, the students friendly Governor of Ebonyi State -Engr. Chief. Comrade. Dr David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE”..He said.

Keep in touch with us for updates, as we prepare for the worst praying for the best to overcome at last!

— Joebliss Nnamdi Ekechi
Special Assistant on new Media,
Directorate of Special Duties,
NANS Zone B (South South and South East).
21|04|2020.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has warned that the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva will be held responsible if anything should happen to former Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili and his family.

Mary Odili, wife of Peter Odili delivered the lead judgment in Supreme Court’s sacking of Bayelsa Governor-elect, David Lyon less than 24 hours to his swearing in.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Douye Diri has since been sworn in as governor of Bayelsa State.

Arising from an emergency State Executive Council meeting presided over by Wike on Wednesday, the Rivers State Government condemned the recent attacks on the residence of Odili as a result of the Supreme Court’s judgment which nullified the election of Lyon.

In a statement issued on behalf of the state government and signed by Paulinus Nsirim on Wednesday, the Wike-led government said the Federal Government seemed not to show interest in the sponsored threats to the lives of Odili and members of his family.

It condemned the barricading of the residence of Odili in Maitama, Abuja by alleged sponsored thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The government wondered why Odili’s family should be singled out for the unwarranted attack, when the judgment that ousted Lyon as Governor of Bayelsa State was a unanimous decision of a five-member panel of Supreme Court Justices.

The State government went further to warn Sylva, Oshiomhole and their alleged agents to desist from the violent attacks against Odili and members of his family.

“That the Rivers State Government will hold Timipre Sylva and Adams Oshiomhole responsible if anything happens to Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.

“That the Rivers State Executive Council noted that in the past Rivers State suffered unfavourable Judicial Pronouncements and never resorted to self-help as being promoted by APC leaders in the case of Bayelsa State,” it said.

The Wike-led government vowed that it would employ all legal means to protect Odili and members of his family and protect Rivers State Indigenes who were serving Federal and State Judicial officers.

“That the Rivers State Government warns that should this harassment and intimidation continue, it will have no alternative than to retaliate,” the statement said.

The government vowed it would  defend the lives and property of Rivers people at all times, saying, “Enough is enough.”

CC: lalasticlala, mynd44,dominique

Read more:https://36prime.com.ng/war-south-spouth-wike-goes-oshiomhole-sylvas-jugular-odili/

The 34-year-old Wilder remains on course to achieve his goal of unifying all four heavyweight belts despite being largely outboxed by Ortiz before the explosive one-punch finish at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas late Saturday night.

“When I see the right shot, it is baby good night,” Wilder said.

Unbeaten in 43 fights, Wilder showed why he is widely regarded as the most destructive puncher in the resurgent heavyweight division.

The “Bronze Bomber” recorded his 10th straight title defence to equal Muhammad Ali who achieved the feat between 1974 and 1978. Only four heavyweights in the history of boxing have made more than 10 consecutive title defences.

Wilder waited patiently for his big moment and when it came, with just nine seconds left in the round, it was stunning.

He followed a pawing jab with a crushing straight right that sent Ortiz’s head snapping back and his body crashing into the ropes before landing on the canvas.

“That was a punch intended to hurt for sure,” said the American. “I got him at the right angle, my feet were planted perfectly and I felt the torque.”

Ortiz tried to get up but he clearly could not continue. The fight was officially stopped at 2:51 of the seventh.

Unification goal
It was a repeat of their 2018 fight where Wilder had battled adversity to deliver a 10th-round stoppage.

Wilder’s win now sets up another money-spinning rematch with Tyson Fury scheduled for February.

If he comes through that a unification showdown against the winner of next month’s rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia for the other three major heavyweight belts could follow.

The fights with Fury, and Ruiz or Joshua, would generate millions for Wilder.

The last two years in heavyweight boxing have provided plenty of rousing match-ups and renewed enthusiasm in contrast to the previous 15 years or so which were dominated by the Klitschko brothers.

“I am looking for a unification bout,” Wilder said. “I want one champion, one face, one name that goes by Deontay Wilder.

“The heavyweight division is too small to have so many belts lingering around. It should be just be one champion and I think I am the perfect man for that job.”

The 40-year-old Ortiz, who was coming off three straight victories, was trying to become the first Cuban to win the world heavyweight title.

‘It was a war’
“This is boxing. I told everyone it wasn’t going to go 12 rounds,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz won most of the early rounds. He was the aggressor from the opening bell as he tagged Wilder with a left hook to the face in the opening round.

Ortiz also suffered a cut to his right temple area in the opening round due to an accidental clash of heads. But there was little blood flow and his corner did a good job of containing it as the rounds continued.

Both fighters were waiting for an opening in the second round and by the third Ortiz was building up points because he was the busier of the two.

Ortiz landed a big overhand shot in the fourth which excited the crowd and pumped up Wilder, who pounded his chest and yelled bring it on.

Ortiz’s plan to was to fight inside and pay attention to defence while Wilder was constantly looking for the knockout shot and hoping Ortiz would eventually tire himself out.

That transpired in the seventh as Ortiz walked straight into a punch that appeared to come out of nowhere, sending the Cuban into dreamland.

“I don’t care about losing rounds because it is a 12-round fight,” said Wilder. “I wanted to time my punches and do the right thing.

“I had to strategically move Ortiz. I had to time myself and calculate my punches. It was a war.”

Ortiz wasn’t so sure it should have been stopped even though he barely managed to wobble to his feet after the knockdown.

“I was clear-headed. When the count was at seven I was still trying to get up. Maybe the count was quicker than I thought,” he said.


CC;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

Source: https://36prime.com.ng/wilder-kos-ortiz-retain-wbc-heavyweight-title/

Chai!

A pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter, Integrity Group, has announced the suspension of notable chieftains of the party from across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Those suspended were a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Chief of Staff to ex President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadohme, former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen; Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Yisa Braimoh, Senator Victor Oyofo and a former leader of the House of Representatives, Tunde Akogun.

Their suspension was a fallout of the disquiet among members of party in the state for sometimes now.

The suspension was announced in a communique signed by former Chairman, Nigeria Football Association, Emperor Jarret Tenebe and former two-time chairman, Owan West Government Area, Dan Asekhema after a stakeholders meeting held last weekend in Benin City.

A vote of confidence was however passed on the State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, whom they offered six months extension to enable them conduct the governorship primaries.

The communique read in part: “We the Edo PDP integrity Group also announced the adoption of former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion as the leader of our party in Edo State.

Explaining why some of the leaders were suspended, the communique explained that “Chief Oghiadohme was seen when he flew a helicopter with governor Godwin Obaseki to attend convocation ceremony of the Edo University Iyamho last weekend.

“He even displayed the sign 4+4, endorsing Obaseki when we have our own PDP aspirants. Chief Ikimi and others have been holding clandestine meetings with Governor Obaseki where we learnt reliably that the governor was asked to bring N6 billion so he can join PDP and take the ticket.


“We are also aware that they have been meeting with the state chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua with view to perfecting this plan. We believe as a party we must instill discipline because it is because of the cash and carry politics some people played in the past that led to the problem of PDP in Edo State.

“As we move towards 2019 governorship election, we urge our aspirants to disregard the activities of greedy politicians and continue their campaigns. We will fight indiscipline in the PDP no matter whose ox is gored,” it stated.

But Chief Orbih who rejected the six months extension offer said he was not aware of any group that goes by the name PDP integrity group.

He urged the public to disregard whatever statement that has been released or issued by the group.

A statement signed by State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare frowned at the audacity of the group to suspend “or even say they are suspending respected leaders of our party, especially as they lack such powers.”

“Their attempt to offer an extension to the tenure of Chief Dan Orbih is not only laughable but infantile. Chief Orbih has not requested for any extension. He has said he is going on the expiration of his tenure in March 2020. That is the position of the party!

“Their behaviour is mischievous and condemnable. They are not members of any organ of our party and as such cannot issue statements or releases on behalf of PDP. We will not hesitate to discipline any party member that submits himself to be used as a political tool in the hands of our political opponents.”

CC; lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

Read More: https://36prime.com.ng/crisis-rocking-edo-pdp-three-party-chieftains-suspended/

Where are the jobs sir

Good

Nice

wow ooo

We are making difference

Ok

Aiit

Aiit

It is well

Good

The CEO of INNOSON MOTORS has donated fire service motor to Onitsha traders.

Cc;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/6076-2/

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed has said the $3bn loan being sought by the Federal Government from the World Bank would be deployed for reforms in the power sector.

She said this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund meetings holding in Washington DC, United States.

Ahmed, who is leading the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting said she would be holding further discussions with the management of the Bank to present how the fund would be disbursed for the project.

She said based on the plan of the Federal Government for the power sector, the loan would be used for the development of transmission and distribution networks to enhance the delivery of electricity.

Ahmed also said the loan would be used in addressing some of the challenges that the country is currently facing in the power sector.

She said, “There is a proposed $2.5bn to $3bn facility for the power sector development programme in Nigeria and this will include development of the transmission networks and the distribution networks as well as removing the challenges that we currently have now in the electricity sector.

“We are going to have a full meeting to discuss the power sector recovery programme and back home we have been working a great deal with the World Bank to design how this programme will be implemented.

“So we have an opportunity now to have a direct meeting with the leadership of the bank and to tell them the plan we have and how much we need from one to five years.”

The finance minister explained that the government would be pushing for the disbursement of the $3bn facility in two tranches of $1.5bn each.

When asked to comment on concerns being raised by the IMF about Nigeria’s debt which stands at N25.7tn the finance minister insists that Nigeria does not have a debt problem.

She said what the government needed to do is to increase its revenue-generating capacity in order to boost the revenue to about 50 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

She said with Nigeria’s current revenue to GDP ratio standing at just 19 per cent, it’s underperformance is significantly straining the government’s ability to service its debt obligation.

The minister said, “Nigeria does not have a debt problem. What we have is a revenue problem.

“Our revenue to GDP is still one of the lowest among countries that are comparable to us. It’s about 19 per cent of GDP and what the World Bank and IMF recommended is about 50 per cent of GDP for countries that are our size. We are not there yet. What we have is a revenue problem.

“The underperformance of our revenue is causing a significant strain in our ability to service debt and to service government day-to-day recurrent expenditure and that is why all the work we are doing at the ministry of finance is concentrating on driving the increase in revenue.”

When asked why the Federal Government decided to increase the revenue projection in the 2020 budget to N8.9tn at a time when government revenue performance is less than 60 per cent, she said a lot of measures are being put in place to correct the anomaly.

Cc;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique


https://36prime.com.ng/buhari-borrow-fresh-3bn-world-bank-finance-minister-zainab-ahmed/

PDP Tasks Buhari Presidency On Profligacy,
…Demands Explanation On Funding of First Lady’s Office

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenges President Muhammadu Buhari to lead by example by ending the profligacy that pervades his Presidency in order to give validity to his directives to ministers and other functionaries.

In the same vein, the PDP tasks the Buhari Presidency to explain the basis and source of Presidential support for the Office of the First Lady, including the appointment of aides, contrary to his promise not to run that office

The PDP holds that Mr. President remains responsible and answerable for his presidential assurances and Nigerians expect an explanation on the violation of such sensitive undertaking.

While the PDP is still monitoring the implementation of directive to government functionaries on cost cut, the party tasks President Buhari to take the first step by immediately fulfilling his promise to reduce the Presidential fleet, as well as cut his over bloated entourages and curtail the opulent lifestyle in the Presidency, which is daily flaunted before suffering and impoverished Nigerians.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has proven to be extremely expensive and a major draining pipe for valuable resources, while millions of compatriots, who look up to government for solutions, wallow in hunger and acute poverty.

The profligacy that permeates the Buhari Presidency had further manifested in the public fight between the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and President Buhari’s nephews over issues of opulent accommodation in our presidential villa.

The party further urges Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has failed to make the details of its budget public, despite demands by our party and other well-meaning groups in Nigeria.

The failure to make the details of the Presidency budget public places a huge burden on the Buhari Presidency, particularly in the face of allegations of budgetary corruption and financial sleazes.

Unless the Presidency budget is made public for Nigerians to see, any directive on cost cut remains cosmetic.

Cc; lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/pdp-tasks-buhari-presidency-profligacy-demands-explanation/

Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Taiwo Akerele, has rebuffed claims that the governor did not continue with his predecessor’s projects and policies.

Akerele said Governor Obaseki has focused on good policies on the education sector, infrastructure development, which were not in the plans of the Adams Oshiomhole administration.

He said the governor will continue the good project left behind but noted that “there are certain things that were bad in the previous government that we cannot continue.”

Akerele insisted that Obaseki would win the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries because those opposing his second term bid were not in control of the Edo APC structure.

He said Obaseki always carried the party structure along in all his decisions.

He said: “If the Governor wanted to be a dictator, he would take charge and not concede these decisions. He does not want to appropriate authority to himself.

“He wants the will of the people to prevail. He had come under pressure to be in charge of the party but he said ‘no’, that there is a party structure.

“There is continuity everywhere. Was the governor not given an award recently by the Nigeria Union of Teachers?

“It was as a result of the fact that we continued from where the former government stopped, which we were part of. The former government-built structures but we are building the human capacity in the schools.

“We are now training teachers. That was not the priority of the former government. It made sure the roofs were not leaking, and that there were tables and chairs. We have to move and progress.

“We have to train human beings teaching the students and we have committed huge resources into building the capacity of teachers.”

Akerele said the Obaseki administration did not continue with all he inherited.

“There are certain things that were bad in the previous government that we cannot continue. The good ones we will continue. They should leave the governor to work and allow him to be the leader of the party in the state.

“The governor must be the leader of the party. We know how party structures are managed in Nigeria. Why will Edo State be different? There cannot be two captains in a ship.”

CC;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/fight-oshiomhole-obaseki-deepens/

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of a mother and her child as a result of an oil tanker accident in Onitsha, in Anambra State.

Reacting to the incident on Wednesday, President Buhari said:

"I am profoundly touched by the sight of the charred remains of an innocent mother and her child who are victims of this tragedy."

According to the President, "I also extend my sympathies to other victims of the explosion whose houses, shops and other property were destroyed in the mishap."

The President explained that, "while I express sadness over this tragedy, I must at the same time call for urgent action on the part of those concerned to stem these frequent fatal disasters on public roads."

According to him, "safety precautions and routine maintenance are taken for granted by vehicle owners."

"I call on the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders to urgently address the issue of safety standards in the country, with a view to stemming the embarrassing frequency of these tragedies", the President added.

CC;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/onitsha-tanker-explosion-president-buhari-sympahises-vitims/

9ja

Tragedy in Onitsha....
A fuel laden tanker has crashed in the commercial city, leading to mass outbreak of fire..

Cc;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/tragedy-onitsha-tanker-explodes-photos/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Engr. Musa Wada has worked out strategic templates for swift payment of arrears of all salaries and pensions malevolently owed Kogi workers, by outgoing Governor Yahaya Bello, immediately it assumes office, if elected in the November 16 2019 election.

The party said the immediate payment of the salary and pension arrears, which is at the top of its intervention list, will run simultaneously with its job creation initiatives and direct empowerment of citizens in various income generating sectors for greater competitiveness, productivity and personal prosperity which was denied them by Governor Bello and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan revealed the plans of the party in an interactive session with a group of investors from Kogi state on Wednesday in Abuja, adding that the party and its governorship candidate have finalized plans to hit the ground running in executing a robust economic recovery agenda.

Ologbondiyan hinted that the party was already in critical discussions with captains of industries, investors, professionals and experts in various fields from Kogi state and beyond on strategies to effectively and transparently transform the state, revamp the economy and empower the people.

‘Our primary focus is the welfare and personal prosperity of the Kogi people. Kogi state is blessed with abundant human and material resources. It receives federal allocation in billions of naira every month, so the people of Kogi have no reason to live in poverty. There is no excuse for non-payment of salaries and pensions. The problem is that the APC has been stealing and mismanaging our resources.

“As you are aware, the people are looking up to us for solution and we must not fail them. I am happy that we have intensified discussions with professionals, investors and business people from Kogi and beyond on ways to harness and manage our resources and empower our people.

“Already we have perfected a strong template that will enable us, as soon as we are elected, to swiftly pay the arrears of salaries and pension accumulated by Bello. Kogi state is largely a civil service state and our people depend on their salaries; so payment of salaries must be a priority for any government that has the interest of the people at heart. Unfortunately, Bello has failed to deliver on this.”

Ologbondiyan also hinted that the party has produced a blueprint for wealth creation including investments in industrialization, rural infrastructure, agriculture, trade and commerce, inland water businesses as well as financing instruments for small and medium scale entrepreneurs.

The PDP notes that the era of stealing and mismanagement of resources in Kogi will come to an end with the election as the party is set for a landslide victory given the popularity of the PDP and its candidate, Engr. Musa Wada and the irreversible consensus among the people to do away with the repressive, corrupt and arrogant APC administration in the state.

Cc;lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique

https://36prime.com.ng/kogi-pdp-clear-workers-salaries-assumption-office-says-set-win-nov-16-election/

International passport

The Nigerian Air Force has decorated two female pilots, Kafayat Sanni and Tolulope Arotile as the fighter pilot and helicopter pilot, respectively.

The first time in the 55 years history of the NAF, Sadique Abubakar, the chief of air staff has disclosed, today.

Cc; lalasticlala, mynd44,dominique, plz take to home page.

https://36prime.com.ng/nigerian-air-force-decorated-two-female-pilots-photos/

Happy rich family

I heartily welcome you all to the formal launch of the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem and Appeal Fund. Today, we are once again gathered to acknowledge and commend the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and veterans of First and Second World Wars, Nigerian Civil War and Peace Support Operations around the world.

2. We must not forget those currently engaged in Internal Security Operations, particularly the on-going war against insurgency in some parts of the country. It is indeed befitting to honour the memory of the gallant officers and men who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep the country united. For those who survived with varying degrees of incapacitation, they require our attention and care and we will continue to provide and cater for them.

3. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration was intentionally fixed for 15th of January, annually, to commemorate the end of our civil war. It reminds us of the need to guard jealously the unity of our country which was won at a great cost.

4. This day calls to mind the negative impact of strife and conflicts and demands that as responsible citizens, we must at all times avoid actions that emphasize our differences. There is no doubt that the strength of Nigeria lies in her diversity. It behoves us therefore, to engage in activities and endeavours that feed our diversity as a source of strength not weakness.

5. The nation is appreciative of the gallantry and sacrifices of Officers and Men of our Armed Forces in the campaign against insurgency and other Internal Security Operations. This has led to the return of normalcy in affected parts of the nation. The Boko Haram terrorists have been substantially defeated and degraded to the extent that they are only daring soft targets.

6. However, all hands must be on deck to check the attacks on soft targets, mostly innocent Nigerians. The peace and security of Nigeria is non-negotiable and the security agencies must continue to do their work diligently. As a government, we will continue to provide necessary logistical support to ensure that our Armed Forces operate with the best modern warfare equipment, while at the same time adequately addressing the issues of their welfare.

7. Likewise, government will remain steadfast in developing our alliances with neighbours and friends in the international community for the total defeat of the insurgents. The task of resettling and rehabilitating our citizens as well as the reconstruction of territories affected by the war will continue to be one of the priorities of this Administration.

8. We shall not rest until all our displaced persons are safely resettled into their communities without fear of further attacks. It is for this reason that the North East Development Commission and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development were established. The Executive Arm of Government hereby commends the National Assembly for the passage of the Bill establishing the Commission.

9. It is our hope that with prudent management of limited resources and support from well-meaning Nigerians and Corporate bodies, the Commission working in close collaboration with the Ministry and friends abroad will be able to deliver on their mandate.

10. We are aware that it is the business of Government to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. We will not fail to provide our citizens with an atmosphere that is devoid of security threats and criminality, where life is stable and progress is certain.

11. Government is also well aware that an insecure environment stifles businesses and undermines growth and prosperity. For this reason, we will like to commend and reinforce our gratitude to our men and women in the Armed Forces who have risen to the challenge of securing our nation and providing enabling environment for national progress.

12. It is on this note that we acknowledge and commend the rising trend, where business concerns offer discounted services to our men and women in the Armed Forces in appreciation of their selfless sacrifices to the fatherland. We commend these laudable initiatives and urge more of our business concerns to do likewise. Such gestures would no doubt encourage them in defence of our country and its people.

13. The unfortunate cost of the war against insurgency and other Internal Security Operations, is the loss of lives of some of our officers and men in the Armed Forces. These very sad occurrences create deep wounds to loved ones. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that the loss of these bread winners does not relegate the spouses and dependents to a life of want and deprivation. Government will do all in its powers to look after the bereaved.

14. Service leaders must take urgent steps to settle the entitlements of these affected citizens as well as the welfare packages designed for their dependants. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that the families of our fallen heroes do not suffer the loss of their loved ones and at the same time be deprived of their due benefits.

15. To ensure that our veterans continue to share the comradeship that existed while in Service and adequately cater for their welfare at exit, the Federal Government established the Nigerian Legion. It is delightful to note that the Legion is carrying out initiatives in transportation, agriculture, housing and other ventures in partnership with the private sector.

16. I am happy to note that the Legion has continued to be a rallying point of veterans and has done its part in catering for the welfare of their ailing members. I enjoin the leadership of the Legion to continue in this spirit. I also urge Nigerians to accord them the needed support, friendship and patronage.

17. As the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, I wish to pledge my continued support and that of the Federal Government to the organisation. My appreciation goes to the State Governors who are patrons in their respective States for the support they are providing to the Legion.

18. Government agencies at the Federal and State levels should continue to patronise services of Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires in the provision of security services. The potentials of our ex-servicemen are enormous and the economy can tap into this for national development.

19. As I launch the emblem shortly, I wish to call on all Nigerians and others resident in Nigeria to procure and wear the emblems with pride to identify with those who laid down their lives for the peace and security of our fatherland. I encourage all to donate generously in support of our veterans and dependants of fallen heroes.

20. Esteemed veterans, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my honour and privilege to launch the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem and Appeal Fund.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Cc; lalasticlala,mynd44,dominique, move to home page.

https://36prime.com.ng/buharis-remark-occassion-formal-launch-2020-armed-forces-remembrance-day-celebration-emblem-appeal-fund/