By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has asked the state’s ministry of health to take inventory of all sick members of the legionnaires in the state to offer medical attention to them as part of the assistance from the state government.
The governor gave the directives shortly after laying the traditional wreath at the occasion marking the 2018 Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Minna. He said members of the association who have health challenges should be captured and listed for free medical treatments.
He therefore directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammed Makun Sidi to ensure that all the members of the legionnaires who were looking pale and those who have hidden health challenges were listed for free medical services on the bills of the state government.
After he reviewed of the parade by members of the ex service men association, the governor moved to the stand where ex-service men were seated. The pitiable site of some of them moved the governor to announce the gesture.
While speaking with newsmen, governor Sani Bello described the contributions of the ex service men to the preservation of Nigeria as huge sacrifices. He commended them for their efforts towards ensuring peace in the country.
“I noticed that some of our ex-service men are medically challenged and it appears they have nowhere to run to. I have directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health to look at some of them and see how the state government can help them”.
He noted that though the ex service men are under the jurisdiction of the federal government, the state government will continue to make it’s contributions to support them where possible. ”They are part of us and it is our collective responsibility to support them” he stressed.
The governor who eulogised the nation’s armed forces for their untiring efforts at ensuring the unity of the country and protecting it’s territorial integrity, urge Nigerians to remember and appreciate the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who lost their lives in service to their father land.
The occasion was graced by the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Ahmed Marafa, representative of Chief Judge of the state, Justice Bima Enagi.
Others included the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Commander, TRADOC, Maj. Gen. A. A Salihu, Commander, 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig Gen. Adeyinka Adetayo, Commander, Air Force Base in Minna, Air Vice Marshal Idi Amin, Commissioner of Police, Mr Paul Yakadi and heads of other security agencies.
