The Nigerian Legion has called on the federal government to recruit more soldiers in order to record more success in the fight against insecurity across the country.
This is just as Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde called on residents of the state to always cooperate with the security agencies and to also keep them informed of any suspicious act.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan today after the grand-finale of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor expressed appreciation to the officers and men of the Armed Forces for their dedication and for keeping the state and the country safe.
He promised that his administration would continue to support the widows, orphans and other dependents of the fallen heroes.
The governor, who performed the traditional wreath-laying during the celebration, equally assured the people of the state of maximum safety of lives and properties.
He said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank our service commanders, the officers and men of the Armed Forces in Oyo State, for their dedication and for keeping us safe. We are eternally grateful to them.”
“For the people our fallen heroes left behind, we will continue to give them support and make life bearable for them.”
Governor Makinde also used the opportunity to give the people of Oyo State the assurance that the security agencies will continue to keep Oyo State safe.
“Please cooperate with our service commanders. If you see something, say something,” Makinde said.
In an interview, the chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Deputy Commandant General Julius Ogunkojo, called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to recruit more soldiers into Nigerian Army.
“The retired soldiers should always have regular meeting with the serving ones, I mean an interactive season, through that we will be able to interact. I want the Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to look in that regards.”
“They need to recruit more soldiers, the numbers of the personnel serving in the army is too low compared to US, China; they need to recruit more because we need to consider our population.”
“This process will enhance our security capacity and not only that, government needs to boost the morale of our army, they need to increase their salary and allowances for them to have a successful battle as regards the challenges of insecurity we are currently facing in the country,” Ogunkojo said.
He implored the government, individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of Legion members, stressing that their monthly allowances are not encouraging due to the economic situation of the country.
The ceremony witnessed the laying of wreaths at the remembrance cenotaph by Governor Makinde, the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; and the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood ‘Lekan Balogun.
Others were the Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Muazu; the Commander, Nigeria Air Force Station, Ibadan, Air Commodore A.G. Akinyimika; the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Adebola Hamzat and a representative of the widows of the fallen heroes.
The occasion also witnessed the 21-gun salute in honour of the fallen heroes and the release of ceremonial pigeons by the governor, which signifies peace.
