The Military Women Association of Nigeria (MIWA) has commended Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi for giving N500,000 each to 41 members of late soldiers affected by an eviction order by the authorities of 1 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Dukku Barracks in Birnin-Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State.
The intervention, totalling N20.5 million, was to enable the beneficiaries to secure alternative accommodation.
While distributing the gesture, the association’s Chairperson in the state, Hajiya Asma’u Umar-Kanoma, said the support was sought from the governor through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Dutsinmari.
“We sought support from Gov. Nasir Idris through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs regarding the eviction order given to our members to leave Dukku Barracks.
“There are about 41 affected members, and each beneficiary received N500,000 to help secure accommodation,” she said.
Umar-Kanoma described the gesture as timely, saying it had brought relief to the affected members at a difficult period, adding that some of the 41 members have not been paid their husbands’ death benefits.
“We appreciate the governor and thank him for what he has been doing for our members.
“We assure him that we will pay him back with huge numbers of votes,” she said.
A cross-section of the beneficiaries, when interviewed, said the assistance came at the right time.
They added that the eviction order had created uncertainty for members who suddenly faced the challenge of securing alternative accommodation.
They thanked the governor for his concern for military families and urged him to sustain the support for members of the association.
They said the intervention showed that the state government recognised the sacrifices of military personnel and their families in the service of the nation.