By Dupson Collins, 27th November, 2022
It is a great privilege to be honoured by a reputable organization of Nigerian Legion Status. While Dr Aiyeku Abiodun Gbemileke was contributing and extending hands of love to Nigerian Legion, little did he knew that a day of reward will come.
In recognition of his laudable contributions to the Nigerian Legion, Okitipupa Area Council, the legion among two other cheerful givers to the Corp were decorated with Honourary Members on the 18th November, 2022 at the Headquarter of Nigerian Legion Alagbaka, Akure.
Aside Dr Aiyeku Abiodun Gbemileke, other two were Rev Oyedele Olaoluwa Joshua and Chief Emaye Adegoke Tunde.
In his welcome address, the state Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Col E O Apata (Rtd) congratulated the new officers who were Majors of the Nigerian Legion, saying their investiture marked the third series of honour done on distinguished citizens since he assumed office as the Chairman of State Command.
Col Apata said Nigerian Legion Decree No 37 of 1988 empowered both the National and State levels of the Legion to extend membership of the Legion to distinguished citizens in honourary capacity.
He said honourary members are entitled to wear Legion uniforms with their ranks and participate in all functions of the Legion, adding that they are to be financial pillars to the Legion in the state and their area councils.
The State Chairman charged the Honourary Members to continue to give financial assistance to the legion whenever the need arises.
“We encourage you to give financial assistance to sponsor our events and the widows of the fallen heroes in form of empowerment”, he added.
He advised the Honourary Members to display high sense of discipline and maturity in all their undertakings.
In the same vein, the chairman of the Legion in Okitipupa Area Council, Corps Major Olatunde Kayode said the honourary members of the Legion was given to the three distinguished citizens on the account of their laudable contributions to the Okitipupa command of the Nigerian Legion.
He noted that they care for the aged ex soldiers, deceased widows on every Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebration, aside their financial and moral commitment to the Legion.
Corps Major Olatunde stated that to further encourage them, the Local Government Area Command recommended them for the honourary rank of Corps Major for their contributions mostly during the destruction of the Legion office by End SARs rioters in Okitipupa.
Speaking with the PATH NEWS, Dr Aiyeku Abiodun thanked the Nigerian Legion for the prestigious Honourary Major bestowed on him, promising to continue to financially and morally support the Legion at all times.
His words: “When the Nigerian Legion office Okitipupa was destroyed and burnt by the End SARs rioters and I was called upon, I contributed within the little resources at my disposal and ensure that the building was completed. I was just doing my own without expecting anything in return but as God will have it,I was among the three people selected for the honour”.
He charged the well to do in the society to cultivate the habit of giving to the less privileged, the widows, orphans and aged people.
“We should all learn on how to give to the families of our fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for this country. Their wives, children and aged parents need our love and care”, he stated.
