Buhari, Osinbajo, Tambuwal, other Nigerian states’ leaders celebrate Armed Forces Remembrance Day with tributes to fallen heroes

*Say ‘Labour of our heroes won’t go in vain’

By BASHIR ADEFAKA and agency reports

Record reveals that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated globally on 11 November every year, known as the Armistice Day, commemorating the end of the First World War. But with the formal end of the Nigerian Civil War following the surrender of the Biafran secessionists on 15 January, 1970, the date was changed to mark the restoration of Nigeria’s unity.

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday led a wreath-laying event to commemorate the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, while same was replicated across states of the country.

During the event held at the National Arcade in Abuja, President Buhari also reviewed a presidential parade.

He was joined by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), the Senate President, Alhaji Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

The DEFENDER reports that the President was also joined at the Arcade by the service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and some members of the President’s cabinet led by the Secretary to the Government of  the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha.

Imam and pastor of the two Nigeria’s officially recognized religions, Islam and Christianity, respectively, said the opening prayers to kickstart and President Buhari, who is the Special Guest of Honour , laid a wreath to honour the fallen heroes.

Following the President was Vice President Osinbajo and others took turns to pay respect to the soldiers, who paid the supreme price while protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

The event, celebrated on 15 January every year, also honours veterans of World War I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War. It is a day set aside for sober reflections on the significance of the Armed Forces to the country.

Record reveals that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated globally on 11 November every year, known as the Armistice Day, commemorating the end of the First World War.

But with the formal end of the Nigerian Civil War following the surrender of the Biafran secessionists on 15 January, 1970, the date was changed to mark the restoration of Nigeria’s unity.

Governors across Nigeria celebrate

Governors across states of the Federation, who joined in the celebration of 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, passed goodwill messages that went round in assuring members of the Armed Forces in the country that contributions of the heroes will not go in vain.

Sokoto

Meanwhile, Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Mutawallen Sokoto, had seized this year’s occasion of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to appeal to the Federal Government to sustain the payment of pension and gratuity of retired military personnel.

While laying a wreath at the Arcade in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal said this would enable the retired personnel live well and take care of their needs and also would serve as an encouragement to the serving personnel to do more in the service of the nation.

He said their services is unquantifiable in ensuring the unity of the nation by laying their lives for the service of the nation.

Oyo

In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde at the event held on Saturday at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, promised to keep encouraging and working closely with members of the armed forces and the survivors of the fallen heroes.

He commended the officers and men of the security agencies for their efforts in battling insecurity in the state, urging them to continue to do their best to ensure that peace reigns in the state and the country at large.

“For Nigerians, some people made sacrifices for us to be where we are right now and also paid the ultimate price.

“So, I believe we should not allow their toil to go in vain,” the governor said.

Katsina

However, Katsina State Government restated commitment to restore peace and normalcy in the state with several strategies, approaches and mechanisms been introduced by the state to eradicate terrorism in the state.

Governor Aminu Masari during the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Katsina Peoples’ Square said the relative peace currently being enjoined in the state is due to the dedication, competence and discipline of the troops and other sister security agencies.

He commended the army for the untiring sacrifice towards securing the lives and property of Katsina citizens.

Lagos

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, laid a wreath in commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the guard of honour, was in the company of his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

Also in attendance were the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Rear Admiral B. Mohammed and the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

To commemorate the sacrifice of Nigeria’s fallen heroes, the governor released pigeons and balloons as part of the ceremony.

Niger

In Niger State, Governor Abubakar Bello said the security agencies should remain resolute to end the security challenges in the country.

Bello disclosed this at the 2022 Nigeria Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the Permanent Cenotaph, Minna.

He commended the men of Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agencies for protecting the lives of the people especially in dealing with insurgency and criminal elements, urging them not to relent.

The governor urged them to continue to protect the integrity of the nation, promising the support of the state government towards ending the insecurity.

“My call is on the military to remain resolute. Today is a special day where we come to remember our fallen heroes that have lost their lives in wars and in the course of their assignments”, he said.

Highlights of the event were the release of pigeons as a symbol of peace, exchange of pleasantries with the widows of the fallen heroes and members of the legions as well as the inspection of the guard of honour by the Governor.

Taraba

Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku in his address urged the Nigeria Army to sustain the momentum against insecurity and ensure that peace reigns across the country.

He said his administration will not relent in supporting the military and other security agencies to ensure that criminal elements are wiped out of the state, as well as avert the recurring herders, farmers clashes and communal crisis.

The governor, who was was represented by his Deputy Haruna Manu assured of prioritising the needs of ex-servicemen and fallen heroes families.

Ogun

In Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, it was a solemn moment as the state governor, Dapo Abiodun joined other dignitaries which include the heads of security agencies, traditional rulers to lay the wreath in remembrance of the Nation’s fallen heroes at the arcade ground in the state capital.

The 21-gun salute was also shot in memory of the fallen heroes and the supreme price they had paid for the unity and peace of the country.

The governor who also inspected the parades and the colour party called on Nigerians to sustain the quest for unity, peace and progress of the country, for socio-economic development and progress.

Ebonyi

In the Eastern region, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi led other members of the state executive council to the event held at the Unity Square in the state capital.

Security Agencies represented at the event include the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Police Force; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); and the Nigeria Immigration.

The Nigerian Legion Ebonyi State chapter at the event called on both the state and Federal Government to make available enhanced welfare packages as well as provision of job opportunities to the children of servicemen and women who have paid the supreme price defending the country.

Imo

Also in Imo State, resident joined their counterparts in other parts of the country to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

The event which took place at the Ndubuisi Kanu square in Owerri, the Imo state capital, witnessed match past by the armed forces and security operatives as well as the presence of top government functionaries in Imo State.

Delivering his speech, Governor Hope Uzodimma asked Nigerians to take the opportunity of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration to reflect more on the meaning and importance of sacrifice as it affects the interest of the Nation.

He described the military as the noblest and patriotic profession.

Delta

In the South-South, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa represented by his deputy Kingsley Otuaro led top military and para-military officers to lay wreaths at the statue of the unknown soldier.

The event was held at the cenotaph where the governor inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce and members of the Nigerian Legion.

A minute silence was observed while a 21-gun salute was taken in honour of the departed heroes.

Some widows of the fallen heroes also used the opportunity to ask the Federal and State Government to look into their plight and provide support for them to be able to fend for themselves and their families.

Edo

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki in his address held in Benin, the state capital said unguarded talks about Nigeria’s unity will cost lives and the efforts of fallen heroes would have been in vain.

He also disclosed plans to include wives of the fallen heroes in the state’s welfare programmes, adding that some of the legionnaires have already been integrated into the security architecture of the state.

Akwa Ibom

In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue in resolving thorny issues in the country.

The governor said most of the circumstances that caused bloodshed in the country’s history would have been settled peacefully if the key players embraced dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Kwara

In Kwara State, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq urged Nigerians to continue to provide information to the military in order to end the insecurity in the country while also urging the country to appreciate the sacrifices being made to keep the country together.

He also commended the efforts of the Federal Government in enhancing their welfare.