ENUGU –– In Nigeria, Armed Forces Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is celebrated every 15 January. The Remembrance Day which was formerly celebrated on 11 November of every year was changed to 15 January in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970, thus concluding the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria.
In Enugu on Friday, the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in commemoration of the 2021 Remembrance Day donated the sum of 5 million naira and 150 bags of 50kg rice to widows of fallen heroes in the state.
The 5 million naira cheque was handed over to the General Officer Commanding of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, for onward distribution to the widows.
In addition to the 5million naira cheque presented in support of the skill acquisition project of NAOWA 82 division chapter, the State Governor also purchased the products presented by the trainees.
In her address, Mrs. Rasheedat Adegboye President of NAOWA, 82 Division Chapter and wife of the GOC revealed, “The skills acquisition programme is aimed at empowering the soldiers’ families with skills in vocational training for financial empowerment.”
The GOC 82 Division Maj. Gen. Adegboye in his response expressed gratitude to the state governor for deeming it necessary to identify with the military as they remember and pray for the repose of their departed colleagues who were in the frontline in the state as well as the nation.
He also expressed gratitude to the governor for his unflinching support to the 82 Division over the years.
It would be recalled that during 2018 Remembrance Day, Governor Ugwuanyi released the sum of N19million naira only to the division as an intervention fund to ameliorate the plights of 95 widows; the funds were to be disbursed to the affected persons as start off fund for business.
The brief ceremony held at the Parade Ground, Abakpa Cantonment, Enugu, saw in attendance widows of fallen heroes who appeared in black outfits, the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, 82 Division chapter, and top military officers in the state.
