EBONYI: EMPOWER FAMILIES OF FALLEN HEROES— WIDOW CRIES OUT

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Monday led other personalities to lay wreath on the tomb of an unknown soldier to mark the Grand Finale of 2024 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebration in the state.

The event, which took place at the Unity Square Abakaliki, featured a parade by a detachment of Military Support Engineer Regiment, Nkwoagu.

Other personalities, who laid wreath at the Cenotaph, included the Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Moses Odunwa; the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Elvis Ngene; and the Commander Nkwoagu Military Cantonment, Lt. Colonel Sunday Atomode as well as the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mrs. Augustina Ogbodo.

Shortly after the laying of wreath, followed twenty-one gun salute by soldiers in honour of their fallen colleagues.

There was also a long reveille by army buglers signifying the last respect for the fallen heroes.

In an interview, the Cantonment Commander, Lt. Colonel Atomode, described the event as solemn and urged Nigerians to continue to support the Military considering the enormous sacrifices being made by its personnel to preserve the unity of the country.

A widow of one of the fallen heroes, Mrs. Toluhin Toyin, said life had not been easy for her and her little children since her husband was killed at the war front and called on the government to put in place an empowerment mechanism for the family members of the fallen heroes.

The Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Ebonyi State, Retired Captain Fidelis Ogodo appealed for the release of monthly subvention by the state government to enable the Organization to attend to administrative issues.

Governor Nwifuru later released pigeons as a symbol of peace.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU