Members of the Nigerian Legion in Ebonyi State have called on the Federal Government to device means of employing ex-servicemen who are still physically fit to enable them enhance their economic and social well-being.
The appeal was part of outcome of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Unity Square, Abakaliki on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists during the event, the Chairman of the State branch of the Nigeria Legion, Captain Fidelis Ogodo, lamented the excruciating pains and deprivations suffered by ex-servicemen in the country and called on the Federal Government to come to their aide.
According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government should as a matter of urgency effect the increment and harmonisation of the Legionnaires’ pensions to reflect current realities in line with those of the Armed Forces.
Ogodo, who further lamented that most of their members facing health challenges could no longer sustain themselves owing to very poor economic status, emphasized that the widows of fallen servicemen were also passing through untold difficult times keeping their families.
He urged the Government at all levels, industrialists and other well-to-do individuals to engage the services of their members, including widows of fallen heroes, in their employ to enable them make additional incomes for subsistence.
Ogodo lamented: “Our increment in pension is overdue.
“We want the Federal Government to harmonize our pensions so that it can go a long way in sustaining us.
“We are owed and most of us are facing health challenges.
“Without money, we cannot care for ourselves.
“Many of our widows are suffering.
“So we want them to please come up with the harmonisation in line with those of the Armed Forces.
“Another one is that there are many who retired but are still physically fit.
“I want the Government, society and well meaning individuals to employ them so that they can begin to get what they can use to augment their pensions.”
The week-long event, which as usual was marked with interdenominational Church service, Muslim jumat prayers and launching of the Armed Forces appeal emblem, climaxed with laying of wreathes at the tomb of the unknown soldier and release of pigeons by Governor David Umahi, Army and Police Chiefs as well as the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma.
Governor Umahi inspected a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Nigerian Army, while there was a release of 21 gun salutes in honour of the fallen heroes.