Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on the people stoking insecurity across Nigeria to reflect on the armed forces remembrance week, repent and allow peace to reign.
Uzodimma made the call while speaking at the armed forces remembrance and celebration day at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square, formerly Heroes Square, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
This is even as the two personnel who slumped due to exhaustion at the parade were resuscitated and returned to the parade.
The governor said war and violence amounted to no good saying “Let me use this auspicious occasion to remind those who stoke the fires of insecurity in the state and, indeed, Nigeria, to see the solemn event of Armed Forces Remembrance Day as a sober opportunity to reflect on the consequences of war and violence, an ill wind that blows no one any good. They should repent and turn a new leaf for peace to reign in our land”.
He noted that the departed gallant officers paid the supreme price for others to enjoy peace saying “Today, as we gather for our solemn annual commemoration, we honour our gallant officers and men who paid the supreme price for us to enjoy peace. Some of them died during the two World Wars. Others died during the Civil War, while many others perished during peacekeeping missions and fighting bandits and kidnappers in the country. Each year, our grateful nation pays tribute to their memory and makes donations for the upkeep of the families they left behind”.
According to him, the sacrifice of the fallen heroes was the highest patriotism which could never be repaid enough saying “Beyond this annual observance, I want us to focus on the significance of their sacrifice, laying down their lives for others, for the peace and continued existence of our country, Nigeria, as one entity.
This sacrifice is the highest form of patriotism for which we can never repay them enough”.
Furthermore, he said, “Patriotism is the love for one’s country. These Nigerians we are remembering today loved Nigeria unto death. While we may not all be soldiers at the battlefront defending Nigeria and Nigerians, we also have various contributions to make to demonstrate our love for Nigeria.
“First, we have to do all within our power to support the families of the departed gallant soldiers. The support could be physical through monetary assistance; it could also be emotional through kind words of consolation and encouragement. We need to be with them to reassure them that their husbands and fathers did not die in vain.
“While the Army authorities have their pension schemes to cushion the effects of loss of breadwinners, the civil populace, especially private school proprietors, should assist by awarding scholarships to the children of the deceased soldiers.
“Let me salute faith-based organisations and other NGOs who have been faithful in offering succour to the families of the departed soldiers. However, my appeal is that we should not limit our assistance to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. We should extend help whenever we have the resources. Such selfless responsibilities are always rewarded by our God, who sees in secret”.
The governor expressed his willingness to continue to support the families of fallen heroes as well as the serving officers.
He said, “As for my administration, we shall continue to assist both the families of the departed and serving personnel. Imo people owe the security agencies immense gratitude for helping us to battle insecurity. Some have died in the course of maintaining peace in the state. We shall continue to honour the memories of such heroes.
“While I commend the hierarchy of the security forces and the men and women who risk their lives for our security, let them be assured that we shall continue to provide them with support, both in resources and otherwise, to make their jobs easier. I once more appeal to our people not to hesitate in volunteering helpful information to the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.”
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