The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Legion has set up a Committee to investigate and separate the young widows of the fallen heroes who have remarried with a view to cutting cost following the directives of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike during the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration a forth night ago in Port-Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen in his office, the Chairman of the Legionnairs, Asst Commander General, Justice O. Chichi, Esq said all the monies donated for the upkeep of the legionnairs is strictly committed for the purpose.
“The #23 million Naira from the Local Government Council Chairmen that was deducted at source just passes my table and goes straight to the LG chapters of the Union. Also the ones meant for the scholarship of the fallen heroes dependants are equally applied to it through a scholarship board.
ACG Chichi made it clear that apart from #20million His Excellency, Gov Wike promised for administrative purpose, no money meant for the legionnairs will be diverted to any other than what it was meant for.
For any dependant to qualify for the scholarship scheme, the chairman gave conditions for it. He said the intending beneficiary have to bring his/her parent`s discharge certificate from the force, a letter from the LG Council Chairman and his/her paramount ruler to be sure of the person`s identity and qualification. He also said the applicant must have secured admission in any tertiary institution. Justice Chichi said he does not see any challenges in his office as according to him “that is exactly what I have come to solve and so I don’t see even those who have conspired to kick against my leadership as a challenge“ he stated.
He made it clear that there is no longer sharing of money on the street but strictly applied to what they were meant for through the committees concerned.
He equally encouraged his members to endeavor to come to the headquarters to verify what is not clear to them and not to be blown about by those he referred to as professional gossipers, who don’t see anything good in others.
Justice Chichi used the opportunity to once more appreciate Governor Nyesom Wike for what he called his benevolence towards the welfare of legionnairs and called on his members to be united and support the Wike administration to do more for them.
“There is no governor in the whole country who is favourably disposed to the legionnairs like the Rivers State governor“, he said.
