Legionnaires seek empowerment of 1,000 widows of fallen heroes in Gombe

The Nigerian Legion has urged the Gombe state government to empower 1,000 widows of the fallen heroes to improve their social and economic wellbeing.

The Chairman of the legion, Master Warrant Officer Umar Buba-Modibbo (rtd), said this at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, on Thursday in Gombe.

Buba-Modibbo also urged stakeholders to support families of the fallen heroes, stressing that their sacrifices called for supports to members of their families.

He said the plights of the widows, who were struggling in silence, should be given due attention.

“Behind every veteran is a story of sacrifice; behind every widow is a hero who never returned home.

“We have over 1,000 widows of fallen heroes in Gombe state, many are struggling silently to raise their children.

“These families paid the highest price for our peace; they deserve more than sympathy, they deserve action, sustained support from government, NGOs and compassionate citizens,” he said.

Buba-Modibbo said the legion would set up skill acquisition centres across local government areas of the state from the fund raising and other supports.

The centres, he said, would empower veterans children and prepare them for productive lives.

He further appealed to the 301 Artillery Regiment, Gombe, to allocate farmlands to vulnerable widows to enable them to venture into farming during the wet season.

The chairman said the measure was imperative to restore hope and self-reliance.

Mrs Doris Dodo, a widow, said that they were among the most neglected in the society, stressing that they take the sole responsibility of raising their children.

Dodo said that the challenges they faced ranges from house rent, feeding, school fees and medical care for their children and themselves.

She called for more skills acquisition programmes, farm and business support for widows to become self sufficient.

Dodo while recounting how she lost her husband 19 years ago, said she was yet to get any support from the state government in spite of the yearly fund raising exercise.

Another widow, Mrs Mary lamented that the society did not treat them well the demise of their husbands, and called for attitudinal change towards the widows and their children.

“We are not happy, especially seeing how our husbands fought for the peace of Nigeria, yet today see how we are and how we can not enjoy the reward of their ultimate sacrifice,” she said.

She urged the state government to empower them with capital to embark on small-scale businesses and agriculture.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Manassah Jatau commended the security forces for their sacrifices.

Yahaya donated N6 million to the legion, and enjouned stakeholders to support the veterans and their families.

He charged the legion leadership to ensure effective utilisation of the donations, and urged them to engage in productive ventures to enable them support their members.