Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has directed his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah Rtd to liaise with the Chairman Nigeria Legion Abia State Council on the best way to improve the living condition of its members and widows of the fallen heroes.
Governor Otti gave the directive while Speaking at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day Service held at the FMC Chapel, Umuahia.
“The truth about it is that it is not easy to make sacrifices. You sign up for a job and you know that the chances of dying are 50-50”
“So, for you to have taken that decision, you deserve to be celebrated and today we celebrate you.
“We want to also celebrate the fallen heroes and now that we have strong leadership, I would want the Special Adviser on Security to sit with the leadership of the Nigerian Legion, so as to see how we can make life easier for you and your families”.
Governor Otti who noted that despite the poor environment members of the Armed forces find themselves, they have continued to serve the nation without complaints, adding that they deserve to be celebrated for their sacrifices and selfless services to the nation.
The Governor described the day as special as it provides Nigerians the opportunity to celebrate those still serving as well as remember fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives, freedom and pleasure to keep the nation safe and secured.
“So today we are not just remembering, we are also celebrating you our indefatigable Armed Forces men for the day and night that you spend on duty to ensure that we sleep with our two eyes closed, So, on behalf of the Abia State Government, thank you for the job you do, We are very grateful and cannot take your sacrifices for granted”
Governor Otti while reacting to the strike embarked by the judiciary staff, described the information surrounding the whole matter as false and wondered why after releasing over three hundred million naira to the judiciary including the 13th month as an Independent body, they have refused to pay their workers.
“First of all you should know that this is a government that does not owe, so it is untrue that judiciary workers have not been paid”
“By the time the minimum wage was reviewed upwards, we started engaging with them just like Nigerian Labour Congress.
“Interestingly they refused to come and sit with government, they sat in the comfort of their offices and did their own review themselves and the matter was getting a bit more serious.
“So, I had to intervene and engaged with the Honorable Chief Judge who intervened and asked them to bring their workings and when we saw their workings we found a lot of errors, which we corrected”
“I sat down myself to ensure that by the 24th of December I worked with the Accountant General, Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Finance and we concluded everything about their salary and on the 24th of December we remitted ₦283, 242, 318.50 to the judiciary
“Interestingly, as at this morning they have refused to pay their workers”
Now, Judiciary is an arm of government that is independent,our job is to remit the money to their account and their job is to pay their workers
“I even approved another ₦27 million to make it about ₦300million which they should have also received and I approved an additional money for the thirteenth month salary that I paid other workers in the state” Gov. Otti explained.
In his remarks, the state Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Captain Ekekwe Duroha Rtd, while thanking God for the day to remember their fallen Colleagues and to celebrate those actively serving the nation, said nothing can quantify their sacrifices.
Captain Duroha while noting that members of the Armed Forces pass through lots of hardship in the line of duty, called on all to always uphold them in Prayers.
In a Sermon earlier, the Administrator FMC Chaplaincy, The Very Rev’d Ernest Onyeukwu while appreciating members of the Armed forces for their bravery and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation,prayed God to always protect them and their families.
Very Rev’d Onyeukwu who preached on the topic:” Fear Not; For I am with you” urged Christians not to be afraid of any obstacle in life as those who put their trust in the Supreme Authority of God will always be victorious.
The Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service was attended by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu and wife, the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa and wife, members of the state Executive Council, the State Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai, Service Chiefs, members of the Nigerian Legion and their spouses and host of other Abians.
