The Governor of Nigeria’s Kogi State has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting military veterans and the families of those killed in the line of duty, as the nation marked Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
At a solemn wreath-laying ceremony in the state capital, Lokoja, on Thursday, Governor Ahmed Ododo described the occasion as a “sacred moment” to honour those who laid down their lives for the country’s peace and unity.
In a speech delivered by his deputy, Joel Salifu, the governor said the day served as a poignant reminder of the “uncertain future” soldiers embrace to protect the territorial integrity of Africa’s most populous nation.
Support for ‘forgotten’ families
Addressing the widows and children of fallen soldiers, Governor Ododo promised that the state government would continue to provide welfare support, insisting that their sacrifices “would never be forgotten.”
The governor also used the event to:
- Praise President Bola Tinubu for his leadership on national security.
- Commend Nigeria’s Service Chiefs for their ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and kidnapping across the country.
- Call for unity, urging citizens to see the military’s sacrifices as a foundation for Nigeria’s stability.
A national tradition
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually in Nigeria on 15 January. The date is significant as it marks the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, symbolising the preservation of the country’s unity.
The celebrations in Kogi State come at a time of heightened security operations in the region. Only days ago, Governor Ododo ordered the demolition of a suspected terrorist hideout in Okene, underlining his administration’s “no-nonsense” approach to the security challenges currently facing the central state.
Similar ceremonies were held across Nigeria.
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