Defence Chief, Gen Gwabim Musa Hails Fallen Heroes for Sacrifice to the Nation; Assure families of Support, Improved Welfare & they’ll not be forgotten

By
Oghenahogie Oshoko
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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Gwabim Musa has hailed fallen heroes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who paid the supreme sacrifice for the nation and has assured their families that the services of their late breadwinners will not be forgotten.
The CDS who was represented by the Chief of Defence Civil – Military Relations, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, stated this at the 29, Battalion Parade Ground, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where palliatives were distributed to widows who lost their spouses in service to the nation.
The event was in commemoration of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, with the CDS pledging unwavering support and commitment to the wellbeing of families of the fallen heroes.
Rear Admiral Dewu said, “We stand by you and ready to offer support whenever needed. It is a commitment that no family is left alone in the face of adversity. Be rest assured that the Armed Forces will never forget the sacrifices of our fallen heroes.”

He disclosed that the distribution of items to the widows was to acknowledge their sacrifice while offering them a small measure of comfort.

His words, “In this challenging times, it is essential that we extend our support to those who bear the weight of our heroes’ absence, left behind to navigate life journey without their beloved partners
“It is a tangible expression of the Armed Forces commitment to provide support and solace to the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the course of service to our fatherland.”

He emphasized that the palliatives to the widows of the fallen heroes was a symbol of the Armed Forces collective gratitude and solidarity to the fallen heroes and their families.

“The Defence Headquarters, Police Officers Wives Association will continue to address the needs of our courageous wives within the military family”, Dewu added.

President of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Musa, who was the guest of honour, commended the widows for their remarkable resilience since the demise of their spouses.

“The women (widows) have shown us what it means to be strong, resilient and accommodating in the face of adversity.

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“They have inspired us to continue the legacies of their husbands to carry on the mission of keeping Nigeria safe and united.”

She said the Defence Headquarters in conjunction with Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association deemed it most appropriate to remember the fallen heroes and give support to their spouses.

“We will always make sure you are supported and do not feel the vacuum created by your loved ones. Be rest assured that the Armed Forces will never forget their sacrifices, we are committed to strengthen the welfare of our fallen heroes.”

While appreciating to the Defence headquarters and DEPOWA in a vote of thanks, one of the widows, Mrs. Folake Lasisi commended the Armed Forces for their magnanimity towards them and urged them to do more.

 

“We thank you most sincerely; when you give, there is a tendency to ask for more because it is the remembrance of our fallen heroes.
“There are some points we want to make that are very cogent to us and we want you to help us take our message back home to the mother of the nation and the Armed Forces.”

“There are some things that are so dear to us. We want to feel that we are still in your midst even though our husbands are no longer there. And because of that, there are some things that are necessary to do especially for our children.

“Some of the children that are not getting educational support and sponsorship, we want you to look into it.”

Continuing, she passionately appealed to the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Armed Forces to come to the aid of families of victims of the Hercules C130 plane crash that crashed on December 26, 1992.

 

Mrs Lasisi said, “I am standing here on behalf of the widows of Hercules C130 26th December, 1992, plane crash. We, the women, have not been given their entitlement after 31 years.

“I call on the First Lady and the Armed Forces to review it and do something because some of our members have died. Some of the children have died. Please, take our message back home to the mother of the nation, so that the nation and military will attend to our matter.”

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