Wike to FG: Military veterans need welfare scheme — not annual emblem appeal fund

Nyesom Wike, Rivers governor, says the federal government should consider setting up a welfare scheme for military veterans and families of fallen troops.  

Speaking on Tuesday at the emblem appeal fund launch in Rivers, organised by the armed forces, Wike said the federal government should also have a budgetary allocation for the welfare of the families of the deceased security operatives.

The governor said the day set aside to launch the emblem should only be for reflection on the sacrifices made by the armed forces in ensuring peace in the country.

“I think that we are tired in this country with every year meeting to launch emblems to support families of the fallen heroes,” Wike said. 

“What I thought, as is done in advanced countries, the day should be used for remembrance of their efforts. That means, by now, as a country, we should have a standing fund that will take care of the families of the fallen heroes. That is what serious countries should be talking about.

“When you say, you solicit the support of corporate bodies, they laugh at us and say what kind of country is this? People who have fought for you; people who have laid down their lives for you to be alive to survive, to continue with what you are doing, we are still talking about how do we support them?”

Wike said the mindset of security personnel dying without sustainable welfare package for their families may be the reason why the serving officers are not committed in the discharge of their duties. 

“They know when they die, all they will hear is the launching of an emblem to help their families. So, they are involved in so many things to take care of their families in case anything happens to them,” he said.

The governor commended the state police command for tracking down the suspects involved in the killing of three policemen around Rumuokoro in the Obio-Akpor council.

Wike, who launched the emblem with N50 million, also announced that the Rivers government will give N20 million to each of the families of the three slain policemen.