By Ayomide Otitoju
Kebbi State has raised ₦80 million to support members of the Nigerian Legion and families of fallen heroes at the launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in the state.
The funds were raised during a ceremony held in Birnin Kebbi, where Governor Nasir Idris described the programme as a priority for his administration, noting that the peace and unity enjoyed in the country were made possible by the sacrifices of fallen heroes.
Speaking to members of the Nigerian Legion at the event, the governor said his administration remained committed to honouring their sacrifices and supporting their welfare.
“Last year, we launched this programme, and it is very dear to us. All of us here are beneficiaries of the sacrifices and commitment of our fallen heroes. Without them, we would not be here today,” Idris said.
The governor announced a ₦50 million donation from the state government and an additional ₦10 million contributed personally by him and his family. He also assured the legion of continued government support, particularly in land allocation, Hajj slots, and the welfare of families of fallen heroes.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Kebbi State, Ahmed Shehu, said the Remembrance Day celebration was organised to honour fallen heroes and express solidarity with soldiers currently serving on the frontlines.
Shehu disclosed that the ₦50 million donated by the state government in 2025 was judiciously utilised, with widows of fallen heroes benefiting from the intervention, while ₦50,000 was distributed to each participant at the 2025 ceremony.
He commended the state government for donating Hajj seats to legion members in the previous year and appealed for an increase in the number of slots in 2026. He added that over 20,180 members of the Nigerian Legion in the state remained committed to supporting the governor’s development agenda.
Further donations were announced at the event, with members of the State Executive Council contributing ₦5 million and the Secretary to the State Government donating ₦500,000. The emirates of Yauri, Argungu and Zuru donated ₦1.5 million collectively, while the Gwandu Emirate gave ₦1 million.
Other contributors included the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which donated ₦500,000; the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), ₦10.5 million; and the Association of Special Advisers, which contributed ₦1 million, among others.
