Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah, of Enugu State has extolled the bravery and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces and veterans, saying that the nation owed them eternal gratitude.
Mbah spoke during the ceremonies to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in the state capital on Wednesday.
“Our debt of gratitude to you is eternal – not just one felt for a day. For us, this debt of gratitude is not mere lip service. It is a debt we are obligated to repay, because yours have been a career of lifelong service to the nation.
“Yours have been a career dedicated to keeping us safe – sometimes at the risk of your lives. The cenotaphs across the country are stark reminders of the price that our armed forces personnel have been paying, from colonial times to the present day,” he stated.
Mbah also recalled the exploits and sacrifices of the Nigeria Armed Forces in battlefields and peace missions around the world, which he said had earned the accolades, pride and respect.
“From the jungles of Burma and Congo to the arid fields of South Sudan, and the war-torn streets of Liberia and Sierra Leone, our armed forces have always been an embodiment of valour.
“The brave men and women of our armed forces have literally led the charge, ready and willing to deploy, as evident from their participation in numerous United Nations Missions across the world,” he said.
Mbah called for both material and emotional support to both the families of the veterans and serving personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“Our Armed Forces consist of men and women of steel. But they are humans, after all, and sometimes pay the ultimate price. When such tragedy occurs, they leave behind families for whom the pain of loss is often most severe. We owe them our love and care – in words and in deed.
“The widows and children of our ex-servicemen are compelling reminders of the sacrifices of our fallen heroes. Their lifetime of sacrifice and duty to the country has earned the families they left behind a right to our collective empathy.
“Their sacrifice for you and me – for the entire country – impels us to not just wipe off their tears, but to ensure that whatever lack their absence had created for their families is substantially filled. That is what gratitude looks like. It is, as well, the greatest honour and respect we can accord our fallen heroes.
“No less deserving of our love, respect and support are members still in active service, and those in retirement.
“On this very somber day of remembrance, I reaffirm my administration’s continued support to the Armed Forces – the pride of our nation, bastion of unity, and potent symbol of our sovereignty. Our support is, of course, complementary to the immense efforts of the Federal Government.
“So, the wreaths we lay in honour of our fallen heroes are not mere gestures meant for TV cameras. They impose on us an obligation to offer a shoulder to their relatives who mourn, and cater to their material needs.
These we shall never fail to do as a government,” Mbah concluded.
Speaking, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Enugu State, Barr. Emeka Igweshi, stressed that support for the members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families should not be left to the government alone, but should be embarrassed by all.
Highpoints of the event include the laying of wreaths to honour the nation’s fallen heroes and release of pigeons to signal lasting peace.
Meanwhile, the event was attended by senior government officials, senior members of the Armed Forces, and other dignitaries, including the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, Igwe Fideli Nwatu and Igwe Greg Ugwu.
Members of the Armed Forces, security and related agencies were led by the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada; Garrison Commander, 82 Division, Brig. Gen. Stephen Dogo; Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Ground Training Command, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal Umar Abubakar; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Madueke, Adani, Enugu, Commodore A.O Odejobi; Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu; State Director, Depart of State Services, represented by a Deputy Director, Operations, Abisong Eteng; State Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Willy Etim Elijah; Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State, Nicholas Obiako and the Enugu Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Franklin Agbakoba Onyekwelu.
