Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued a directive for the immediate employment of children of fallen servicemen in Rivers State, underscoring his administration’s commitment to supporting military families and veterans’ welfare.
The announcement was made on Thursday, during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, an annual event that honours the sacrifices of officers and soldiers who have died in active service as well as those who have retired.
In a clear and emphatic statement, Governor Fubara directed the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, to ensure that employment opportunities promised to the eligible children are implemented without delay.
“I want to mention here that in line with our support, the secretary to the state government has been given a marching order to ensure that the employment promised by the State Government for the children of our veterans would be immediately attended to. This is part of our way of showing socio-economic support to the families,” the governor said, stressing the urgency of the implementation.
The governor said the directive reflects a broader commitment by the Rivers State government to provide tangible socio-economic support to families of fallen military personnel and reinforce the welfare of dependents.
Fubara also reaffirmed Rivers State’s continued collaboration with military formations and other security agencies, pledging logistical and welfare support to boost their operational effectiveness within and beyond the state.
He acknowledged the significant sacrifices of Nigerian troops, particularly those deployed in conflict-affected regions such as the North-East where Boko Haram and other insurgent groups operate, and in the North-West and North-Central regions battling banditry and kidnapping.
The governor paid homage not only to contemporary soldiers but also to veterans and fallen heroes from earlier conflicts, including those who died in the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and various international peacekeeping missions.
At the event, Kuu Aminkipo Promise, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Rivers State, expressed appreciation to the state government for its ongoing support to veterans and their families. He highlighted the administration’s launch of the 2026 Emblem Appeal Fund, which saw a ₦100 million donation pledged by Governor Fubara, a gesture the chairman described as reassuring for veterans, widows, and dependents of fallen heroes.
The governor’s employment directive adds to a pattern of initiatives aimed at bolstering support for families of security personnel in Rivers State. In previous years, Fubara had approved financial assistance to the widows of fallen heroes as part of broader socio-welfare efforts.
