From HASSAN JIRGI Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum has promised to champion support for wounded-in-action and families of deceased military and police officers who lost their lives in counter-insurgency operations.
Governor Zulum made the promise when he received the President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, DEPOWA, Mrs Lilian Musa on Monday at the Government House, Maiduguri.
DEPOWA, an umbrella body uniting wives of officers of the army, air force, navy and police, was in Maiduguri for the launch of Thank You Troops Campaign, an initiative aimed at showcasing the sacrifices of frontline troops and offering support to the wounded in action, as well as families of fallen heroes.
Zulum, who declared himself a champion of the campaign, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to support troops and their families.
“I promised to be a champion of this noble course by identifying with officers and men of the military. My doors are always open to you at any time to partner you to support the wounded-in-action, widows and orphans of deceased military personnel, to give them a sense of belonging,” the governor pledged.
He recalled the challenges faced by troops in displaced communities such as Baga before resettlement and reiterated plans to resettle more communities to consolidate the gains recorded by the military.
“Let me commend members of DEPOWA for your perseverance, I know the difficulties that you have been facing. Many times, a military or police personnel will stay in his duty post for two or three years without seeing his family. I am a strong advocate of the need to create an avenue for them to visit their families, this is very important,” he stressed.
Zulum appreciated the Chief of Defence Staff, other service chiefs, theatre commanders and troops for their gallantry, resilience and dedication to restoring stability in the North East and other parts of the country.
In her address, Mrs Musa lauded the governor for his support to the military and families of the fallen heroes.
“I must begin by commending you, Your Excellency, for your unwavering and practical support to the armed forces and security agencies in the fight against insurgency, a fight that has cost so much, yet remains critical to our nation’s survival. Your programmes for widows and orphans, your scholarship schemes for children of the fallen and your social intervention initiatives are shining examples of compassionate leadership in action,” she remarked.
Mrs Musa also expressed the association’s commitment to complement government’s efforts in uplifting the living standard of widows, orphans, youths and the less privileged within and outside our barracks community.
