VICTOR DURUAMAKU , Owerri
Imo State Government Wednesday, dolled out a whooping sum of ₦600 million to the families of fallen heroes in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day
According to the state Governor Hope Uzodimma, the fallen heroes paid supreme price during their active service to the Nation hence their families deserve care.
According to an official statement issued in Owerri the state capital yesterday, by the Chief press secretary to the Governor, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu, at the ceremony, the commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence, Directorate of Security Services, among others, were instantly handed over cheques totalling N600million to be distributed to the families of their personnel who died in active service as well as those who sustained injuries in the course of their service to the Nation
The ceremony which held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, saw the Governor paying glowing tribute to the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other security agencies whose sacrifices, he said, “continue to guarantee the unity, peace, and survival of the country.”
Speaking at the solemn ceremony, Governor Uzodimma described the day as one of deep reflection and national gratitude, noting that Nigerians owe an immeasurable debt to both the living and fallen heroes of the Armed Forces.
“As we enter another day in the year, we pause to acknowledge a profound debt that can never be fully repaid. We gather to pay tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces – both living and dead – whose patriotism and sacrifice have secured our nation against external aggression and internal revolt,” he said.
Governor Uzodimma praised the courage, resilience, and devotion of Nigeria’s military personnel, describing them as brave souls who place their lives on the line daily so that citizens can live and sleep in peace.
“They keep watch while we sleep. They trade their comfort for our safety and their lives for our liberty,” he said, adding that “from the trenches of global conflicts through the Nigerian Civil War to present-day battles against terrorism and banditry, the military has remained the unbreakable spine of Nigeria.”
The governor commended Nigeria’s founding fathers for designating January 15 annually to honour fallen heroes, describing it as a fitting recognition of selfless service.
He noted that the observance has now assumed a broader meaning following the official designation by Defence Headquarters as Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day—honouring both the fallen and those still in active service.
“This change is significant,” Uzodimma stressed.
“While we bow our heads in memory of the fallen, we also raise our hands in salute to the living heroes who continue to defend our territorial integrity,” he added.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to veterans’ welfare through the Nigerian Legion, assuring that families of fallen heroes would never be abandoned.
The Governor proceeded to announce the immediate disbursement of ₦600 million as financial support to families of servicemen and women who lost their lives while securing Imo State in recent years, as well as those injured in the line of duty.
“We will not wait for tomorrow to show that we care. Today, right here on this ground, we are disbursing ₦600 million to the families of our fallen heroes as a token of our permanent gratitude,” he explained.
Uzodimma credited the relative peace currently enjoyed in Imo State to the synergy between his administration, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies.
He recalled the recent inauguration of 7,000 operatives of the Imo State Vigilance Services Organisation, designed to work in partnership with the military and sister security.
