Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has advocated peace, love and national unity among the political class across the country to reciprocate the sacrifices of gallant soldiers, who paid the supreme price in serving humanity and the nation, especially as the general elections beckon.
Emmanuel spoke at the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the state Cenotaph, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
He observed that circumstances in which the heroes laid down their lives still persist across the nation and cautioned politicians against incendiary and unwarranted comments that weaken the cords of national unity.
The governor encouraged them to demonstrate attributes that would fan the embers of unity and further extend the frontiers of love and brotherhood, lest the sacrifices of gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces be in vain.
“As we get ready to elect our new set of leaders, I urge our political class to understand that we need the country to be one indissoluble entity, in other for our aspirations for leadership to be actualized.
“We must not threaten the unity of this nation for the narrow desire to be in power. If these gallant men and women paid the ultimate price for us to remain in peace and harmony, we must also pay them a corresponding price of appreciation and gratitude by ensuring that the cords of our unity, justice, equality, fairness and love remain our abiding articles of faith”, the governor stated.
Acknowledging the cooperation the state government has received from security forces in the course of his administration, said the gesture made the state to receive Nigeria’s Best Security and Safety State at the last African Security Summit in Banjul, Gambia.
He urged government at various levels, corporate bodies and private citizens to show gratitude by improving the welfare of serving soldiers, the Legion and relatives left behind by fallen heroes and guarantee a future for their children, who oftentimes bear the brunt of the sacrifices their fathers made in the service of the nation.
On his part, the Commander, 2 Brigade, Uyo, Brig. Gen. Abubakar Wase, said the Nigerian Military has a robust plan in place to continuously accommodate the concerns of ex-servicemen and families of the fallen heroes.
Similarly, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Joseph Daniel Esu, said the event was of great significance to the Nigerian Legion as it gives them a sense of belonging, despite being out of service.
He lauded the commitment of Emmanuel’s administration to the welfare of the Legionnaires and families of the deceased soldiers.
Also, the state President of, the Nigeria Military Widows Association, Grace Aniema, described January 15 of every year as a day of sober reflection for widows of the fallen heroes and expressed gratitude to the state governor for the support to the military widows in past years.
She appealed for the initiation of a recurrent support programme that will cater for the needs of the widows.
