President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund with N10 million.
The event took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja before the beginning of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
It is an annual tradition towards acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and sacrifices of veterans in the first and second world wars, peace-keeping operations around the world and internal security operations, including the ongoing campaign against terrorism.
January 15th of every year is celebrated as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
From Wednesday, October 31 to January 15, 2019, top government officials and other Nigerians are expected to hang the emblem on their clothes as a mark of appreciating the efforts of the soldiers.
Buhari, during the inauguration, urged corporate organisations, particularly service providers and other business concerns, to support the veterans’ cause through voluntary donations, employment opportunities and welfare support.
He appealed to political actors to be decorous in their conduct and utterances to eschew fanning the embers of disunity.
The President said: “We would have no country to lead if our acts of deliberate incitement lead to the disintegration of our dear nation. Let us put Nigeria first and realise that in every contest, there must be one winner.”
Buhari reminded the nation that the celebration was a painful reminder of the perils of war and the need for the nation to avoid a recurrence.
“The celebration forcefully reminds us of the resolve of our citizens to remain in one united country, Nigeria.
“It also points out the fact that we had been through a bitter and unfortunate war that led to the loss of millions of our compatriots and the need to do all within our powers to avoid a reoccurrence of war,’’ he said.
Buhari also used the occasion to appreciate the gallantry and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the campaign against insurgency and other internal security operations.
Noting that the efforts of the armed forces have led to the return of normalcy in affected parts of the nation, the President regretted the murder of two young and promising aid workers, Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman, by Boko Haram terrorists.
“It is painful that this happened despite the efforts of government to effect release of the two victims.
“We condemn the callous and cowardly act in its entirety and call on all citizens and friends to forge a united front against this common enemy of our destiny.
“Once more, I extend the heartfelt condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to the families and friends of these martyrs,’’ the President said.
The Nigerian leader pledged that the resettlement and rehabilitation of citizens affected by the war on terror would continue, hailing Dangote Foundation for its partnership with Federal Government in the rebuilding process in Borno State.
The President, therefore, called on other corporate organisations to borrow a leaf from this noble initiative since government alone could not satisfy the needs, given its limited resources.
At the brief ceremony were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Olonisakin, service chiefs and Inspector General Ibrahim Idris, senior officers and veterans.
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