"Defend Democracy", Gov Nnamani tells Armed Forces
January 9, 2007

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, has called on members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to work towards the defence of democracy at all costs.

Governor Nnamani made the call during the launch of the 2007 Armed Forces Remembrance and Emblem Appeal Week at Okpara Square, Enugu.

"It is an occasion like this that I implore you to defend democracy at all costs because democracy has delivered infrastructure, aggressive rural development and reforms that have impacted positively on the lives of the people," Governor. Nnamani stated.

Governor Nnamani, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Dan Shere, also appreciated the fact that the Enugu dream was working, courtesy of the collaboration and symbiotic relationship of the security outfits of the Armed Forces organization and the Enugu State Government in the joint military security patrol team.

The Governor described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration as a very important national event designed to recognize, appreciate and pay respect to those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of their fatherland and national unity.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to see the ceremony as a memorable one for the remembrance of fallen heroes and their dependants and not a mere annual carnival.

The Governor, who launched the Emblem appeal week with the sum of five hundred thousand naira, appealed to those who made pledges now and in the past years to endeavour to redeem them.

Earlier in his address, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council, Chief Fabian Alle Adon, commended Governor Nnamani for his special care and interest in the affairs of members of the legion, describing his disposition towards them as the best in recent times.

According to him, "Governor Nnamani had, in the past, consistently donated handsomely to the cause of the fallen heroes, particularly from 2001 to 2003 and his noble record in this way remains yet to be met" he said.

Chief AIle Adon then renewed his appeal to members of the public to' continue to assist the legionaries by donating towards their welfare since majority of them are unemployed and sick.

Chief Adon stated that the Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council, spent over N600,000 for the upkeep of their sick and bed-ridden members in parts of the state between 2005 ¬2006.

He, however, regretted that the above expenditure could not cover the welfare of the widows, education of the children of the fallen heroes and assistance to their aged colleagues.

Chief Adon appealed to the State Government and the private sector to consider giving employment to their members, especially as security officers, as a way of giving them more sense of belonging and improve their welfare.

"This explains why, although the legion decree empowers the organization to go into profit yielding investments, the practical translation of such desirable ideals remains financially very difficult to achieve", Chief Adon said.

He said that members of the legion had embarked on small scale ventures in all the local government areas of the state and would appreciate assistance from the state and local governments councils for the success and growth of the venture.

He appealed to those who made pledges in the past to redeem them and appealed to local government councils and traditional rulers to donate towards the welfare of the legionaries.

He was grateful to those who redeemed their pledges, which he said, included officials of the Enugu State Government, the business community and academia.
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