Okorocha urges Legionnaires to promote national unity

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Wednesday charged legionnaires to promote peace and social development in the country.

The governor gave the charge at the ceremony marking the 2014 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day in Owerri.

Okorocha, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Eze Madumere, also urged the legionnaires to eschew bitterness and rancour.

He also called on them to promote the welfare and harmony of their members.

Okorocha said that having fought to maintain peace and unity in the country, the ex-servicemen should support the government in its effort to move the state forward.

He observed that the fallen heroes and the old soldiers deserved to be honoured, respected and remembered as people who fought gallantly and sacrificed their lives for Nigeria and Africa at large.

Okorocha described the event as a day for sober reflection for the fallen heroes and show of love to the legionnaires.

He pledged to continue to support the legionnaires to make them more productive and useful to the society.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Legion in the state, retired Lt.-Col. Damain Okafor, had during the launch of the Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund on Jan. 9, called on the state government to pay the arrears of entitlements owed the members.

He also appealed to the government to pay up the two years of subvention, totaling N10 million, owed the legion.

The highlight of the occasion was the empowerment of the wives of the legionnaires by the wife of the state governor, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Love Onyechere.

The deputy governor also inspected a parade, led by Maj. Patrick Dulora, while wreaths were also laid.