Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has called on Nigerians to build on the success achieved by heroes past in maintaing the well being and unity of the country, and keeping it afloat.
He spoke when he received in audience, the Nigerian Legion, led by its national chairman, Brigadier General Jones Akpa (Rtd), who were in the Ministry to decorate the Minister with the emblem of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yerima Peter Tarfa, PhD, said the effort of the nation’s fallen heroes had kept Nigeria together and given the citizens freedom.
Ngige enjoined Nigerians not to take for granted, the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes who had fallen in battle or died in the line of duty defending the country and its people, as well as tackling all manner of security challenges.
He commended the contributions of Nigerian families to the security and well-being of the country, noting that almost every family had a family member, close or distant, in the Armed Forces.
Ngige disclosed that the Ministry would look into the possibility of the Nigerian Legion benefitting from the Ministry’s numerous social protection programmes for the vulnerable.
He stated that these programmes, which target such individuals as retirees, youths and widows, are domicilled in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), an agency of the Ministry.
The Minister commended the leadership of the Nigerian Legion on its effort and commitment in coordinating the affairs of the organisation, and in keeping the memories of the heroes alive, as well as keeping hope alive for those who survived the fallen heroes.
Earlier, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Brigadier General Jones Akpa (Rtd), stated they were in the Ministry to decorate the Minister, the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary and other principal officers with the emblem of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
He stated that whatever funds realised from the exercise at the end of the day would be utilised in improving the welfare of the children and widows of the fallen heroes.
Brigadier General Jones Akpa (Rtd) stated that Nigeria had set aside 15th January to remember the Armed Forces members who had died in the civil war, and recently in the insurgency in the country, as well as in other security situations.
