Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and his Ekiti State counterpart, Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday, paid tribute to men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who lost their lives or sustained injuries in the course of defending the country.
Abiodun, during the special church service held to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, called on the people to ensure that the legacies of the fallen heroes remained alive, saying that they fought for the territorial integrity of the country.
“Today, let us pledge to honour their memory, not only with ceremonies but with actions. Let us build a Nigeria where unity prevails over division, where peace silences the echoes of conflict and where the sacrifices of our heroes inspire us to serve one another selflessly,” he said.
The governor added that the welfare of the families of the country’s fallen heroes should not rest solely on the shoulders of the Nigeria Legion alone, but should be a shared responsibility of the people of the country.
“We must ensure that the legacies of our armed forces remain alive, enshrined in the heart of our nation’s history and the fabric of our collective consciousness.
“It must be seen as a collective duty, a debt that we all owe in honour of the memory of our departed men and women,” he said.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Egba Diocese of the African Church, Rt Rev Emmanuel Akinrodoye, stressed the need for Nigerians to appreciate God despite the nation’s numerous challenges, saying it was only when they acknowledged God’s benevolence that He could heal the land.
The Bishop called on the government to provide security agencies with the needed resources to overcome insurgency troubling the nation.
Also on Sunday, Oyebanji paid tributes to men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and urged Nigerians to support the families of fallen and wounded soldiers for their patriotism.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, at the interdenominational service marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, Oyebanji also saluted men and officers of the Nigerian military for their sacrifices and bravery.
He said the military men’s undaunted spirit had culminated in the gradual decimation of those carrying out terror attacks against the country and urged Nigerians to continually lend support to those on the battlefields.
He said, “I pay tribute to our heroes, the veterans who fought so that we may live in peace. It is crucial for the government and indeed all Nigerians to show support and care for these veterans, as this will serve as an incentive for our military personnel and strengthen our national defence.
“Many of these gallant officers paid the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives on the battlefields, while others suffered life-altering injuries. It is, therefore, essential to reach out to the families of those who lost their lives and to those who were wounded.
“While we remember our past heroes, we also take this opportunity to commend and pray for all our military personnel who are still actively engaged in defending the country against insurgents in many parts of Nigeria.”
Oyebanji appreciated President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ekiti’s son into a strategic position among the military top brass, saying, “For the first time in the history of our nation, our brother and son, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff.”
The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj Gen Obinna Onubogu, lauded the government for their support in the fight against unscrupulous elements trying to make Nigeria unsafe.
In his sermon, the Ekiti State Government House Chaplain, Pastor Segun Awolumate, charged the servicemen to note that they had a mandate to protect Nigerians by restoring peace to beleaguered areas and making the nation indivisible.