16th November, 2015
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that the fact that the country has remained as one despite the challenges of internal strife and civil war it had suffered over the last 55 years of the nation’s independence is a testimony to the fact that Nigerians are determined to remain as one.
President Buhari spoke against the background of agitations for the dismemberment of the country by pro Biafra groups in the South east parts of Nigeria.
The President who spoke while launching the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund in Abuja however said the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes, heroines and veterans who stood up to confront the security challenges the country has faced cannot be forgotten.
“Our nation has recently celebrated 55 years of political independence and continues to remain as one indivisible entity despite several grievous challenges. Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed a lot of internal strife, survived a civil war and has remained united. This feat achieved by the country is an eloquent testimony to the determination of our citizens to remain as one people.”
Buhari who said he was proud to be in the midst of such people therefore said the occasion should be a reminder of the need to appreciate the noble contributions of our fallen heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice to maintain national and international peace and security.
“We are gathered here today to observe a worthy tradition of acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and accomplishments of our veterans in the First and Second World Wars, Peace Support Operations around the world, and internal security operations particularly the ongoing campaign against terrorism in our country,” said the President.
The President who noted that with the ongoing insurgency in parts of the country, Nigeria is facing one of its most trying times, said the theme of this years’ Armed Forces Remembrance Day “Motivating the Nigerian Armed Forces for Effective Service Delivery” as very apt for the current realities.
The President also gave kudos to the armed forces for their display of courage and sacrifices, commitment and loyalty to Nigeria they have shown in the war against terrorism, oil theft and piracy in some parts of the country.
The occasion was attended by services chiefs and top government officials, members of the Nigeria Legion and the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali, President Muhammadu Buhari who decorated the President with the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem alongside Secretary General of the Nigerian Legion.