By Cletus Asuquo
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu and other stakeholders have paid tribute to fallen Nigerian soldiers who gave their lives to defend the sovereignty of the nation.
The event, is held to honour the sacrifices of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel, and the nation’s gratitude for those who laid down their lives in defense of peace, freedom, and sovereignty.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday with journalist at the millennium Park Calabar, venue of the event the special guest of honor of the ceremony, Governor Otu, who was represented by his Deputy, Honorable Peter Odey, described the tribute as a symbol of respect and appreciation for the gallant men and women who continue to serve the country with courage and dedication.
“The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, that is why we are here to emphasize the enduring importance of remembering the sacrifices made by military personnel.
“We as a government in Cross River State, we will continue to engage, and continue to support the families of fallen heroes and ensure the welfare of veterans and serving officers.”-Odey said.
He called on Nigerians to continue to support the service, and sacrifices of the arm forces “The Governor is very committed to the values of unity, patriotism, peace, and justice that the fallen heroes fought to protect, so we cannot leave them, alone to suffer, and not care, ours is a government that cares.”-He said.
Some of the veterans who spoke to our correspondents, decried that their service allowances, including their pension were not paid as at when due, and in most cases not paid at all.
Speaking to journalist, Corporal Peter Effiong a 80 years old 1992 disclosed that despite serving for 28 years, his retirement payment was not made.
He said “I retired in 1992, I have served in so many cornel, I have even been to the peace keeping force. I am in fact during our retirement and during our services, there was no payment.
‘I was in the jungle for three years. I didn’t even receive like five, five thousand naira when we were there. When we came out, they made effort to trying to pay us salary.
“They did not pay us for over a month, even after my retirement, the pension given to us was not enough for anything. We were earning eighty thousand after serving for 28 years. And I so thank God, I don’t live on my own but I live under the grace of God with my family.
” I am a family man of seven children plus my wife making eight. For God so loved the world like he said, I thank him for keeping myself and my family alive until today. Like I said, the government are still owing, they should try all their effort to try to settle us. Things are very hard and we are feeling very very not comfortable.”
Highlight of the event was the laying of wreath by the Deputy Governor Peter Odey, the speaker of the house of assembly RT Hon Elvert Ayabem, traditional rulers, and other senior government officials.
