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…as Lt Gen Buratai says ‘soldier heroes live forever’
By: Okosun Dennis
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday gave glowing tributes to officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for laying down their lives in order for the rest of us to have abundance of life.
Performing the laying of wreath ceremony at the National Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, the Governor expressed joy that despite societal upheavals coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic that has dwarfed economic prosperity, the state was able to observed the yearly ritual of parade in respect of the fallen heroes.
“This is usually a yearly ceremony and we are thankful to God that we have been able to observe this year’s ceremony. I want to commend officers of the military, Nigerian Police and especially the Nigerian Legion and everybody that participated in the parade.
“It is also a testimonial and a yearly ritual that we have been able to keep the activities and observed all the protocols.”
Simultaneously, across the country, there were parades in honour of the fallen heroes. In Abuja, President Mohammadu Buhari laid wreath at the National Centaph with the Service Chiefs and some members of the diplomatic corps.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai said “every man is born a hero. It takes a hero to be a soldier. The soldier heroes live forever. Their memories never die. Their valour and scarifice make a nation.
“To our retired and serving members of the Nigerian Army, I salute your courage and appreciate your commitment and loyalty. To the families of our departed colleagues, our love, thoughts and prayers are always with you,” Buratai reiterated.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu while commending Nigerian Armed Forces for its gallantry at keeping the nation together, noted that for the internal security within the state, its men would ensure a seamless policing of all the nooks and crannies of the state to forestall criminal inflitration.
Among those that laid wreaths were the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Godwin Umelo; the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral O.B. Daji, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Vice Marshall L.S. Alao who was represented by Air Vice Marshall C.C Ozogwu; the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeen Odumosu, Colonel Samuel Fola Akande, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Lagos State chapter.
Others were the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hazmat; the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba who was represented; the Secretary to the State government, Mrs Folashade Sherifat Jaji; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Raliwan Akiolu and a representative of the widows of fallen heroes, Mrs Adebiyi.
The ceremony which was heralded by a colourful parade with detachments from the military and Nigerian Legion was commanded by Major GJ Okon of the Nigerian Army.
High point of the wreath laying ceremony was the release of white pigeon from the birdcage and ballons as a mark of peace and unity. There were also 21 gun salute in respect of the fallen heroes
In attendance were the 9 Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Musa Etsu-Ndagi; Commander, Nigerian Navy Beecroft, Commodore I.A Shettima; the Commander, 651 Base Services Group, Nigerian Airforce Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore R.K Olarenwaju and officers, soldiers, ratings and airmen of the Armed Forces.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is marked every 15th January of the year to commemorate the ending of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 between the Biafran Republic and the Republic of Nigeria.
As a yearly event, it is in remembrance of all the officers and soldiers that died during the war.
