President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday launched the 2016 Emblem for the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day with an announcement of a N10 million Federal Government donation to the Nigerian Legion.

Inaugurating the emblem in Abuja, Buhari urged all well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to buy and wear the emblem with pride throughout the period of the celebration.

“I therefore call on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to lend their support to this worthy initiative.

“The emblem launch today is meant to appeal to all Nigerians to generously support of the Nigerian Legion.

“One of the ways we can appreciate the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and veterans is by making generous donations.

“Further to this, after the emblem launch, I encourage all Nigerians to procure and wear the emblem with pride throughout the remembrance period.

“This would show that we appreciate the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and veterans and also assure those still serving that their services to the fatherland will never be forgotten.

“I urge and encourage all our distinguished guests to purchase copies of the emblem for their wives, husbands, children, relatives, and friends.”

The President stated that in future it will be a requirement for all staff and visitors to wear the emblem to gain access into government establishments.

According to him, the Federal Government will continue to show commitment to addressing the challenges facing the veterans.

He said that the Ministry of Defence had been charged to come up with programmes that would enhance the living standard of the veterans.

“We have recently implemented an increment in their pensions.

“We are also happy to note that the Military Pensions Scheme is running efficiently even as verification exercise for ex-service men and women was successfully conducted recently.”

Buhari, who expressed appreciation to state governors for promoting the legion, urged them to continue to lend their support and give concessions to the veterans as Patrons of the Legion in their respective states.

He also commended the veterans for their steadfastness, perseverance, and exemplary conduct.

According to him, the members of the legion, even in retirement, have continued to provide excellent services in all spheres of national life.

“Let me salute and appreciate the courage and sacrifices of men and women of our Armed Forces in grappling with the wave of terrorism, oil theft, and piracy in some parts of our country.

“They have displayed unalloyed loyalty and commitment to Nigeria.

“In their arduous task to keep Nigeria safe and united, some of these gallant officers and men lost their lives. To them we pay special tribute and pray for the repose of their souls.

“As a responsible organization, the legion has introduced the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Day as part of activities marking the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

“This is an avenue through which legionnaires reach out to the society by carrying out some social works, humanitarian activities as well as empowering widows and dependants of our fallen heroes.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Brig. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), said the emblem launch was unique because it was happening at a time the country was fighting insurgency.

“The emblem launching for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2016 is a unique one because it is coming at a time when the nation is committing its soft and hard power in the current fight against insurgency

“As the country continues to fight insurgents, we remember and appreciate our fallen heroes and veterans to their invaluable contributions to global, national peace and security.”

He said that the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Motivating the Nigerian Armed Forces for Effective Service Delivery,’ was in line with the important role of the veterans in maintaining the corporate existence of Nigeria and other countries of the world.

Dan-Ali called on the President to make it mandatory for the emblem to be worn by all staff and visitors seeking to enter government establishments during the period of the celebration.

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gayya (rtd), reassured that the legion will continue to ensure judicious use of all the funds realised from the Remembrance Day celebrations.

He disclosed that part of the funds will be used to improve the quality of life of members of the legion in the internally displaced persons’ camps across the country.

One of the high points of the emblem inauguration was the decoration of Buhari; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara; and the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, with the 2016 emblem by the chairman of the legion. (NAN)

•Photo shows President Buhari.

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