The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday said his administration would initiate welfare packages for the families of fallen heroes in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the governor made the promise at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Benin City.
Okpebholo said the welfare packages would be geared towards sustaining the immediate families of the fallen heroes to cushion the effect of the loss of their breadwinners.
“As my administration’s commitment to catering for the families of the fallen heroes, welfare packages will be initiated and sustained for the immediate families to cushion the effect of the loss of their breadwinners,” he said.
The governor, who paid glowing tributes for the patriotism, courage and sacrifices of fallen heroes in the Nigerian Armed Forces, ascribed the nation’s unity and peace to their sacrifices.
While acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of the fallen heroes, the governor opined that the occasion was a solemn one as it reminds all that people paid the ultimate price for Nigerians to enjoy the unity and peace they currently enjoy today.
He noted that no honor was ever good enough to quantify their level of sacrifices.
He, however, urged all Nigerians, and Edo State citizens in particular, to honour their memories by ensuring that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes were not in vain.
The governor added that caution must be taken to ensure that the events that led to the Nigerian Civil War are never allowed to repeat itself.
“Our fallen heroes have served this nation and given their all by paying the ultimate price for the unity of this nation. We will continue to honor their memories and I pray that their souls continue to rest in peace.
“Nigeria is enjoying peace today and we are still united as a nation today because, these gallant armed men laid their lives for the nation.
“We are here today because of their sacrifices and there is nothing we can ever do to adequately honor them, other than to make sure their sacrifices are not in vain,” he said.
Okpebholo was accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, and Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.