•Military keeping Nigeria together, says Amosun
•Ajimobi advises Nigerians on sacrifice, humanity
•Aregbesola warns against war
•Ambode urges dialogue for conflict resolution
•Akeredolu offers cash gift to widows of fallen heroes
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday urged Nigerians to show appreciation for the selfless efforts of the nation’s armed forces at keeping the country as one indivisible entity.
The governor said many of them had even laid down their lives for the continued existence of Nigeria.
He said they and their families should not be forgotten.
Amosun, who addressed reporters after the celebration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade Ground in Abeokuta, the state capital, noted that the war against terrorism and insurgents may not be won soon.
The governor said caring for or remembering members of the armed forces who served the nation should not be a once-in-a-while thing but something that should be part of the nation’s daily life.
He expressed the confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges and remain united.
According to him, this will be achieved when everybody is given equal opportunity.
Amosun said: “My message is that we should, as a people and as a nation, appreciate the selfless efforts and service of all our military and paramilitary services; all men who have laid their lives for what we have today. We exist as a nation because of their efforts.
“They fought within and outside the country. Remember the First and Second World wars. Even our own Civil War and, of course lately, all of these challenges we are having: Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants; and our Armed Forces are being called upon.
“What we do before, maybe after the Civil War, was to go for different international peace-keeping efforts. But somehow, we are getting involved within the territory of Nigeria. We pray that all of these will be a thing of the past. They are working and doing well.
“Terrorism and all of those are not issues that can be subdued immediately. Even as great as America is as a nation, they are still battling with ISIS and Al Qaeda. It is just like something you cannot keep your eyes away from. So, we commend their effort.
“For me, the lesson to take away from here is selfless service some people have rendered. It is a challenge to those of us who are here. Not just even being a military; wherever we find ourselves, we should work for our nation.
“It is not just when we come like this that we give them some money and they go. They should be integrated in all that we are doing. They are not lazy. That is why they have served in the military…”
Also, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi urged Nigerians to sacrifice more for the unity and progress of the country.
He said this should be in the spirit of the nation’s fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation to be together.
Ajimobi spoke yesterday at the Remembrance Arcade, opposite Agodi Government House in Ibadan, venue of the grand finale and laying of wreaths in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Moses Alake Adeyemo, members of the State Executive Council (Exco), security commanders, members of Nigerian Legionnaires and families of fallen heroes.
Addressing reporters after the ceremonial laying of wreaths and release of pigeons and peace balloons, Ajimobi said it was important for Nigerians to remember and honour denmised military officers who made the supreme sacrifice for the continued co-existence of the nation.
He said: “My message is that we must always give honour to those whom honour is due. It is due to our heroes, who have paid the ultimate price, that we have remained alive so that we can remain united. The lesson there is that in all we do, we will all die one day. What do you want to leave behind? How do you want to be remembered?
“We are remembering the fallen heroes in the Nigerian Army today because they paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of humanity and in godliness. My message to our people is that we should all endeavour to serve. The greatest form of godliness is service to humanity. We must serve humanity with all our might. Despite all that God has endowed us with, in the end, we will all die.”
Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the selfishness and greed among the elite through rent-seeking outside of work and productivity may provoke rage and anger which may threaten communal peace in Nigeria.
The governor delivered a speech, titled: The Imperative of Peace for Productivity and Prosperity, at the wreath-laying ceremony for this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the New Military Cenotaph in front of Osun House of Assembly in Osogbo, the state capital.
He said: “War is a very bad business. It is costly, deadly and ruinous, even for a supposedly winner. It is worse for the loser. Indeed, all are losers in a war. The resources – human and material – used to prosecute wars could have been used for the development of the people. The lesson of history is that nations and people emerged from wars weakened, devastated, poor and vulnerable.
“The worst part is that though a nation’s decision to go to war or not might be easy before the outbreak of hostilities, but it is more difficult and sometimes impossible to decide to stop a war. Thus, we have prolonged and sometimes an indeterminate war. This is the hard part.
“We see the devastations of wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon (and closer home) in Liberia and Sierra Leone. While some, like Liberia and Sierra Leone, are fortunate to put the war behind them, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Iraq have found it difficult to stop their own wars.
“Lebanon lost its Paradise and Pearl of the Middle East status to United Arab Emirates (UAE). The mutual antagonism and distrust that the Nigerian Civil War bred are still with us.”
The governor noted that the country was fortunate the first time it went to war, saying Nigeria may not be that lucky again, if another war should break out.
He said: “In the interest of the Black race, Nigeria must not just exist but it must be strong to be able to lead the continent to achieve its manifest destiny.
“The greatest riches of the continent are domiciled in the Great Lakes region comprising Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
“Nigeria should be strong and provide leadership with South Africa and the leaders of the region to be able to develop these riches for the development of the people of the continent and for Africa to be able to take her place in the world.
“Essential to achieving this is peace. If there is no peace, we cannot make any progress…”
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged Nigerians to always give peace a chance and embrace dialogue as the mechanism for conflict resolution.
The governor noted that one of the best ways to appreciate the supreme price gallant members of the nation’s Armed Forces paid is to always ensure that conflicts are resolved amicably while peace is constantly guaranteed.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, the governor said January 15 remained sacrosanct in Nigeria’s political history because in 1970, it was the day the “Treaty of Surrender,” which ended the three–year bloody Civil War in the country, was signed.
Ambode, who hailed officers and men of the Armed Forces for always demonstrating courage and gallantry to protect the sovereignty of the country, urged Nigerians to always eschew violence and bitterness while resolving their differences.
According to him, the nation and its people stand to gain a lot when there is peace and political stability in the land.
He said: “While commending officers and men of our Armed Forces for demonstrating courage and gallantry in the face of threat to national unity, I call on fellow citizens to give peace a chance. Let us eschew violence and embrace dialogue as the preferred mechanism for conflict resolutions.”
Ambode added: “As we conclude this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance celebrations, let me use this opportunity to reiterate my call to all Lagosians and indeed Nigerians to show love and care to the families and the loved ones of our deceased patriots. One of the ways we can support the survivals of these people is to engage the services of ex–service men and women, some of whom have suffered physical disabilities while defending the territorial integrity and unity of the nation.”
Also, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday called for special attention for the widows and dependants of demised members of the Armed Forces.
The governor presented cash gifts to some widows of the fallen soldiers at this year’s parade and laying of wreaths for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the state government cenotaph in Akure, the state capital.
He said: “One aspect and perhaps the most significant of the celebration is the need to pay special attention to the welfare of the widows and dependant relatives of the departed ones.”
Akeredolu praised the fallen heroes for paying the supreme price for the nation’s unity.
He said: “The need for a vehicle for the Legion and the general welfare of the widows and dependant relatives of fallen heroes as well as those of retired and serving officers and men in this state have also been brought to our state.
“Some of these requests will receive immediate attention while the others will be attended to as the resources of the state improve.
“Nothing can be too much to be done for these courageous officers and men of the Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives to preserve, protect and defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our father land.”
The governor decried the security challenge posed by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country.
He said: “While the challenge of Boko Haram is yet to subside, the new challenge of herdsmen, which has assumed a national dimension, has reared its ugly head.
“This has constituted nagging pains in necks of all those in authority in this country. Like I have had occasions to say in the last couples of days, we will not allow any miscreant to elude with our joy in Ondo State.
“We are resolved to take the challenge head-on. Ondo State residents must have the unhindered space for their daily economic activities.
“The farmers, especially, will be protected and imbued with the required confidence to engage in their legitimate farming activities.”
