Rivers State Government has announced N20 million support to each family of three police escorts killed recently by gunmen in a kidnap attack on the Rumuokoro Flyover, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
Governor Nyesom Wike announced the financial support at the Rivers State Emblem Appeal Fund Launching in Port Harcourt where he also announced the state’s donation of N50 Million to launch the emblem.
The governor commended the Rivers State Police Command for swiftly tracking down the killers of three policemen who died while protecting a company executive who was eventually kidnapped and has since been released.
Disturbed by the pitiful appeal with which men of the Nigerian Legion solicit financial support through the annual emblem appeal fund, Wike advocated, “I think that we are tired in this country with every year meeting to launch emblem to support families of the fallen heroes.
“What I thought, as is done in advanced countries, the day should be used for remembrance of their (veterans) efforts. That means, by now, as a country, we should have a standing fund that will take care of the families of the fallen heroes. That is what serious countries should be talking about.
“When you say, you solicit for support of corporate bodies, they laugh at us and say what kind of country is this? People who have fought for you. People who have laid down their lives for you to be alive to survive, to continue with what you are doing, we are still talking about how do we support them?”
Governor Wike contended that the fear of neglect and the fate of their families when they die in active service is most likely the reason officers of the nation’s security agencies are not committed to professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“They know when they die, all they will hear is the launching of emblem to help their families. So, they are involved in so many things to take care of their families in case anything happens to them”, the governor reflected.
That is why, Governor Wike stated, oil bunkering business seemed to have continued unabated even if it is economic sabotage, which is allegedly aided by the security agencies.
Rivers State Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Justice Chichi on a note of commendation for Wike told the governor, “In 2018, you approved the establishment of a scholarship scheme and award of scholarship to 55 orphans, In 2019 you gave us a brand new coaster bus to ease our operations.
“In 2022, you further approved the award of scholarships to 50 orphans having graduated some of the earlier beneficiaries. You have continued to support our widows in great measures.”
Among other donations, Port Harcourt Local Government Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, donated N23M into the Emblem Fund on behalf of the Rivers 23 Local Governments.
Elder Ferdinand Alabraba launched N5M on behalf of Rivers Elders, and Chairman, Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja launched the emblem with one million Naira on behalf of Rivers traditional rulers.