The minister of
Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has commended the Nigerian Military
for its gallantry, patriotism, dedication and supreme sacrifice in securing the
nation.
Dr. Onu made the
commendation, when the delegates of the Nigerian Legion led by its
Secretary-General, Air vice Marshal Adekunle Adebola (rtd) paid him a working
visit in his office in Abuja.
Speaking Dr Onu said,
‘’the present administration and the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
are determined to work with the Military to make sure that insurgency is
defeated’’.
Dr. Onu, went down the
memory line to highlight the contributions of Nigerian soldiers in the first
and second world wars. In his words ‘’when the world celebrates the end of the
wars, Nigerians should also be recognised as having made a lot of contributions
to the maintenance of the world peace’’.
The minister, praising
the gallantry of Nigerian servicemen on the African continent, especially in
Liberia and Sierra-Leone, and the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the
North-East also said Nigerian service men have distinguished themselves while
on international missions, especially peace-keeping missions in war-torn areas
and in the on-going campaign against insurgency in the North-Eastern part of
the country.
Dr. Onu further
advocated the use of new and more advanced technologies to help the Armed
Forces defeat insurgency.
Dr. Onu further
assured the legionaries that the Ministry will continue to support the cause of
the legionaries.
Earlier, the Air vice
Marshal Adekunle Adebola said that the Nigerian Legion is a body empowered by
Federal Government to oversee the management of all welfare issues, of veterans
who have disengaged honourably from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air force.
He stressed the need
to support the Nigerian Legion so that the memories of the falling heroes are
kept alive and provisions made for their families, dependants as well as well
as look after the well-being of the injured, the physically challenged, the
aged and the traumatised among them.