EBONYI STATE GOVT JOINS OTHERS TO MARK ARMED FORCES AND REMEMBRANCE DAY

Reporter : AMECHI ODO

The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, has led other dignitaries to lay wreath on the tomb of an unknown soldier at the grand finale of 2021 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day at Unity Square Abakaliki.

The beagle sound set the stage for the solemn moment as Dr. Igwe, who represented Governor David Umahi, led the Commander Nkwoagu Military Cantonment, Lieutenant Colonel Igbinadolor Irabo; the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Sule Maku; the State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Retired Captain Fidelis Ogodo; the Chairman Traditional Rulers Council in the State, Eze Charles Nkpuma; and the State Coordinator, Military Widows Association (MIWA), Mrs. Margret Ugoagha, to lay wreath on the cenotaph.

As a mark of honour to the services of the fallen heroes, an armed squad that filed on both sides of the aisle leading to the cenotaph fired thirty gun salute.

The Vicar Saint Stephens Anglican Church Nkwoagu Military Cantonment, the Reverend Canon Bawa Aodo; the Chief Imam of the Cantonment, Warrant Officer Adamu Danjuma; and the Reverend Father Raphael Ijoko of Catholic Church Nkwoagu took turns to offer prayers to God.

“Grant to the family members the fortitude to bear this great loss.

“Oh Allah pardon them and shower your mercy on them, you are the forgiving and merciful, Amen,” they prayed.

In an interview, the State Coordinator of Military Widows Association, Mrs. Ugoagha, commended the Military High Command for measures put in place to improve on the welfare of those left behind by the Fallen Heroes.

“It has not been easy, some of them that are employed, they were employed as casual workers in Command Children, Command Secondary, in the Kitchen and so on and so forth,” Mrs. Ugoagha stated.

The Commissioner for Internal Security in the State, Mr. Stanley Okoroemegha, told journalists that plans were underway to engage members of the Nigerian Legion meaningfully.

“We are going to engage them because their experiences are needed, their professionalism is still needed,” the Commissioner remarked.

Highpoint of the event was the release of pigeons by the Deputy Governor and other dignitaries to signify peace.