Sanwo-Olu Donates ₦100M To Military Veterans During Remembrance Emblem Launch

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a donation of ₦100 million to the
Nigerian Legion to support military veterans and the families of fallen heroes.
The Governor made the announcement on Monday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Appeal Fund and Emblem Launch held at the State House in Ikeja.

The donation is intended to provide welfare support for retired officers and the dependents of soldiers
who lost their lives in the line of duty.
During the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the financial contribution is a token of
appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Nigerian Armed Forces in maintaining the nation’s territorial
integrity and internal security.

He noted that the Lagos State Government remains committed to the wellbeing of veterans residing
within the state.
“This ₦100 million donation is an acknowledgment of the debt of gratitude we owe those who have
served this country selflessly,” the Governor stated. “It is our responsibility to ensure that the families
left behind by our fallen heroes are not neglected.”
In addition to the state government’s donation, the Governor urged private sector players and high-net-
worth individuals in Lagos to contribute to the Appeal Fund. He stressed that the task of caring for
veterans should not be left to the government alone, especially given the current economic climate.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, who received the pledge, expressed
gratitude for the state’s consistent support.

According to the Legion, the funds will be directed toward healthcare interventions, scholarship
schemes for the children of deceased members, and micro-credit facilities for retired personnel seeking
to start small businesses.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day activities, which culminate on January 15, serve as a period of
national reflection.

In Lagos, the emblem launch serves as the official kickoff for the fundraising window. Governor Sanwo-
Olu directed all state cabinet members and heads of agencies to wear the remembrance emblem as a
sign of solidarity with the military.
Beyond the financial donation, Governor Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to commend the current
leadership of the military for their collaboration with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
He highlighted the role of the military in joint security operations across the state, which have been
instrumental in curbing crime and ensuring the safety of residents.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s policy of providing employment opportunities for able-
bodied veterans within the state’s security and traffic management agencies, such as LASTMA and the
Neighborhood Safety Corps.
The ceremony concluded with the official pinning of the 2026 remembrance emblem on the Governor
and other top government officials.

The state government has also announced plans for a grand parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the
Remembrance Arcade in central Lagos on January 15.
The donation has been described by observers as one of the largest single-state contributions to the
Nigerian Legion in recent years, setting a high bar for other state governments as the 2026
Remembrance Day activities commence nationwide.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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