NIGERIA: January 15 of every year in Nigeria is marked as “Armed Forces Remembrance Day,” a day set aside to recognize and celebrate the country’s fallen heroes, martyred, retired or in active service. The day was set aside in January 1970 in commemoration of the Nigerian civil war.
The Nigeria Chief of Defense Staff, Lucky Irabor, while speaking on this year’s celebration in Abuja, noted that there is a need for Nigerians to believe in the military especially now that the country is faced with the problem of insurgency and to further strengthen the nation’s national security.
There is nothing to doubt that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria so there is a need for every Nigerian and the military themselves to rally around the system to make it work better for the betterment of all, Irabor said.
The Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, during the celebration hailed the Nigerian troops for their effort in the fight against the aged-long insecurity bedevilling the country.
Yahaya further stressed that the effort and contributions of the Nigeria Army cannot be forgotten, therefore they need to be celebrated in every sphere of life.
“I, therefore, urge the Nigeria Army not to relent in giving their best to the betterment of the country especially now that the country is faced with issues of Boko Haram, Fulani-Herders clashes, kidnapping among others,” Yahaya added.
The former spokesperson to the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka, applauded the effort of the Nigerian troops for their fight against different forms of insecurity affecting the country. He however motivated the troops to do more as their effort is not enough until peace and normalcy is totally achieved.
Kukasheka, therefore encouraged soldiers, ratings, airmen and women, also all officers to make sacrifices if needed for the country as that will help in restoring the country’s lost peace.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is used to draw attention towards the welfare of veterans, surviving and retired members of the armed forces, especially, the disabled, the sick and the aged. The celebration put together by the Federal Government witness parades, laying of wreaths and gun salutes.
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