12th January, 2024
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has enjoined Nigerians to always support and appreciate the families of the nation’s fallen heroes.
The Governor gave this charge on Friday after a Special Jumaat Service in Commemoration of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the Special Jumaat by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat noted that supporting the families of the fallen heroes in whatever form is a way of appreciating the efforts of those who laid their lives for the country.
He added that “they died so that we can live, and as a matter of fact, they are still dying for us, so we must do everything to support them. The fact that people are struggling should not stop you from lifting others, we can always lift ourselves. If it’s just Ten Naira you have, take one naira out of it to lift someone.”
In his address, the 14th Emir of Kano, His Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi while praising the armed forces for their dedication to ensuring the unity of Nigeria, also praised their doggedness in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity.
“I wish to commend the armed forces for their dedication to duty despite the difficult situations that they are operating in. Besides, despite that some members of the forces were paying the supreme sacrifice to protect the civil populace, they remained undaunted to ensure that they uphold the alliance to the call of duty. We appreciate you and we pray that Almighty Allah will continue to be with your families,” he said.
While advocating for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, Sanusi noted that there is no verse of the Quran that says Muslims should attack people without reason.
In his Sermon, the Imam of the Lagos Secretariat Community Mosque, Alausa, Imam Hakeem Kosoko urged Nigerians to continuously celebrate the armed forces, both the living and the dead because of the huge sacrifice they make for the country.
He noted that “the tasks of the armed forces would not have been tedious to the extent of families losing their breadwinner, soldiers losing some body parts or even senses if the citizens understood the necessity of life and the rights of others irrespective of the religion of either a Christian or a Muslim. Despite the Holy Books points to peace, peaceful Co-existence.”