The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) has assured Military Widows of continous support in the tasks of making life worth living for their families.
The Minister noted that the concerns shown by the ministry is a measure of love and respect the present administration of the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari has for the fallen heroes and the bread winners of their families who laid down their lives in service to the country.
General Magashi stated this in a message to the maiden week and 50 Million Naira Secretariat launch of the Military Widows Association
held at the Tukur Buratai Hall, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
The Minister of Defence who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and represented by his Special Adviser Technical, Major General Ahmed Tijani Jibrin (Rtd)lauded the initiatives of the leadership of the Association for creating a platform for members to speak with one voice on matters bordering on their welfare and the training of their children.
While assuring the widows of the support of the Ministry of Defence at all times, he encouraged the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, Heads of Defence Institutions and well meaning Nigerians to support the building of the Secretariat.
He said when completed the Secretariat will serve as baston of empowerment for acquisition of Skills for the Sojas wives and the less privileged. Going forward the Minister advised the Leadership of the Military Widows Association to maintain probity and accountabity in the management of the funds raised for the proposed project and to shun wasteful expenditures in all their endeavours.
The ceremony which featured presentation of drama depicting agony of loss of bread winners in the affected families was attended by the representatives of the Ministers of FCT, Interior and Police Affairs as well as Service Chiefs.
Signed
Mohammad Abdulkadri
Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence.
