…Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, others lay wreaths
to honour fallen heroes
…Army
releases 244 repentant Boko Haram
ABUJA— President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, led service chiefs, other top government
functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps to lay wreaths in honour of
those that died in service in Nigeria and at international assignments.
This came as the Nigerian Army said it has
released 244 repentant Boko Haram terrorists to the Borno State government.
Also, some state governors called for prayers
for families of those who died in active duties. This was part of activities
marking the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, which culminated in
the laying of wreaths at the National Military Cenotaph, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari laying a wreath
during the ceremony to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the
arcade, Eagle Square, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
Aside the president and his vice, other
personalities present at the wreath laying ceremony were Senate President, Dr
Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Chief
Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Others
were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin and the Service
Chiefs— Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air
Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas.
The
ceremony, which holds on January 15 of every year, at National Memorial Arcade
in Abuja, is also dedicated to appreciating surviving military men who have
retired from active service.
Army
releases 244 repentant Boko Haram
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has released 244
repentant Boko Haram terrorists.
Presenting the repentant insurgents, yesterday
to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State at the Maimalari Barracks Military
cemetery, venue of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Theatre Commander,
Major General Rogers Nicolas said “on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
General Tukur Buratai, I wish to handover these 244 repentant Boko Haram to you
for re-uniting them back to the society.”
Those released include, 56 female, 118 male
adult, 19 under aged and 51 children, which the army said have undergone the
de-radicalization process.
Receiving the repentant insurgents, Governor
Kashim Shettima commended the Nigerian Army for releasing the repentant Boko
Haram insurgents and advised them to be of good behaviour.
Saraki, Dogara seek military welfare
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, has called on the Federal Government and military authorities to
prioritize the welfare of both their serving and retired personnel; in view of
the enormous sacrifices they render to sustain the peace and security of the
country.
Saraki said: “While serving members of the
armed forces must be made to feel that their effort at protecting the
territorial integrity of the country and assisting in the maintenance of law
and order internally – often at the risk of their very lives – is not in vain,
the welfare of the immediate families of all our fallen heroes must be given
due consideration.”’
Also, Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr
Dogara said: “As we mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, let us remember
to always show genuine appreciation to gallant men and women who deprived
themselves of so much so that we may have this nation, Nigeria. Even in death,
their sacrifice will never be in vain.”
Ajimobi rallies support for fallen heroes
Towing the same line, Governor Abiola Ajimobi
of Oyo State said: “We must always give honour to those whom it is due. Today,
we are honouring our fallen heroes who have laid down their lives for national
peace and unity.
The lesson is that we will die at the end of
the day. What do you like to have believed? How do you want to be remembered?
We are remembering them today as heroes because they paid the utmost sacrifice
in the service of humanity and godliness.”
Lalong,
Ambode call for prayers
Marking the Remembrance Day, Governor Simon
Lalong of Plateau State encouraged families of fallen heroes and those alive
not to think that their sacrifices to the nation is in vain as they did what
they did to restore peace in the nation. He said: “We thank God for the
opportunity and also the gallant display of our fallen heroes, if they didn’t
do what they did and sacrificed their lives, perhaps we wouldn’t be alive
today.”
Also speaking, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of
the Lagos State urged Nigerians to always seek peaceful means by exploring
dialogue as a necessary mechanism for conflict resolution
Haid: “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.”
Nigerians are unhappy—Wike
On his part, Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom
Wike said: “Mr President must match his commitment not only with responsible
actions but also stop the state sanctioned marginalization that is fuelling
most of the avoidable crisis in the polity by giving every section of the
country a sense of belonging and justice.
For, not many Nigerians are happy with the
current state of the nation, especially, the direction it is headed and the
unending killings and shedding of innocent blood across the country.”
Nigeria facing challenges of evil herdsmen —
Okorocha
On his part, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo
State said Nigeria was passing through difficulties of terrorism and evil
herdsmen.
Okorocha, in a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo said: “Nigeria today is passing through a very
difficult time. We are having so many challenges, ranging from terrorism to
activities of the evil herdsmen and those who have chosen to kill for no just
reason.
We must not experience another war —Masari
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State,
however, cautioned Nigerians not to allow the nation experience another war
saying: “We must cast our minds back, at the events that led to the civil war,
the immense human capital loss of the tragic war, and resolve that never again
shall we allow our dear nation to experience another war.”
Give attention to widows—Akeredolu
Canvassing special attention for the widows
and dependants of fallen members of the nation’s Armed Forces, Governor Rotimi
Akeredolu of Ondo State 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.
Tambuwal pledges welfare commitment for war
veterans
On his
part, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State pledged increased commitment
toward improving the welfare of late, retired and present soldiers in view of
their services to the nation.
In his pledge, Tambuwal said: “I want to
assure you that my government would continue to support families of slain war
veterans and retired ones, as well as motivate the present soldiers.”
Amosun, Aregbesola warn against war
The Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle
Amosun, who spoke with newsmen shortly after the celebration of the 2018
edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade Ground, Abeokuta,
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 service. All
men that have laid their lives for what we have today.”
Also,
Governor of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola 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 loser 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.
APC
hails Armed Forces
Also
commemorating the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the All Progressives
Congress, APC, lauded the gallant military that fought for the unity and
territorial integrity of Nigeria.
In
a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the
party said: “Our thoughts and prayers are also with our injured and fallen
soldiers and with their friends, families and loved ones. We all have a duty to
ensure the welfare of the families and dependants left behind.”
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