Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerians to extend support to the families of fallen heroes, emphasising the need to care for widows and prioritise the upbringing of their children.
Speaking at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration yesterday at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stressed the importance of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
“This annual event is a tribute to the brave men and women who have laid down their lives in service to the nation. Citizens must ensure that the families of our fallen heroes are well taken care of. It should be our collective responsibility to support those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country’s freedom and security,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He assured that his administration would continue to collaborate with ex-servicemen and address their concerns.
The event featured highlights such as the laying of wreaths, the firing of rounds in volleys, and the release of ceremonial pigeons and balloons by the governor.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council, Akeem Wolimo, also called for increased support for ex-servicemen, urging both the government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist in providing better welfare.
“We appeal for more support to fulfill the responsibilities of the legion, which represents ex-servicemen. We urge the government to provide more for the needs of the officers and men of the armed forces. We also call on well-meaning Nigerians to support ex-servicemen for better welfare,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of “Wives of Fallen Heroes in Lagos State” decried neglect from the state government, highlighting the challenges faced by military widows.
A representative of the group, Oluwaseyi Iliya, expressed disappointment over what she described as empty promises from the government.
“Since we have been celebrating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we have not had any direct impact from the Lagos State Government. The only time they attempted was in 2024, and provision was made for only 10 widows. After that, we’ve only heard promises without fulfillment,” she said.
Iliya noted that widows were struggling to provide for their families, especially in the current economic climate, and lamented the lack of empowerment initiatives for the group.
“Military widows are suffering. If the armed forces have abandoned us, we don’t expect the state government to abandon us as well. Most of us lost our husbands in the northeast, and now that they are no more, their families have been left behind,” Iliya added.
She acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s support in sponsoring the children of military widows but appealed to the state government to engage directly with the group.
“The government may have tried to do something for us, but none of it is reaching us. We plead with them to meet with us directly so that we can air our views through the proper channel.
