The 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day was on Friday celebrated across the country, with state governors honouring fallen heroes for paying the supreme price in ensuring that the country remains peaceful.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which is usually marked on January 15 of every year, honours members of the military who fought and are still fighting in various theatres of conflict within Nigeria and across the world.
Katsina State
In Katsina State, the government reiterated its commitment to supporting all security agencies to ensure that the state regains its past glory.
Representing the State Governor was the Deputy, Mannir Yakubu, who acknowledged the contribution of the Armed forces during the rescue of 344 school children of the Ƙankara Government Science Secondary School kidnapped by armed bandits on December 11th, 2020.
He appreciated the gallant troops of the Nigerian army and that of the Air Force for their untiring sacrifice towards securing the lives and property of citizens in the state.
Oyo State
The Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also joined millions of Nigerians across the country to celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
He called for more support for security agents and promised that his government would continue to support security agencies to achieve a safe and secured state.
Rivers State
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State asked other stakeholders to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to change the Service Chiefs to end insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes in the country.
Governor Wike stated this during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at Government House, Port Harcourt, after the traditional parade at the Isaac Boro park.
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The governor said the federal government must end the killings in the country in the shortest possible time, stressing that changing the service chiefs will allow for the introduction of new strategies to fight the insurgents and bandits.
Cross River State
In Cross River State, South-South Nigeria, the state governor, Ben Ayade announced a donation of a brand new bus to ease the logistics of the servicemen.
He used the occasion to extoll the sacrifices of ex-servicemen whom he said risked their lives to keep Nigeria one.
Speaking at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade held at the Millennium Park, Calabar, Ayade, flanked by his Deputy, Professor Iwara Esu, and other top government functionaries, lamented the pitiable condition of them saying Nigeria has the responsibility to take care and protect them.
Ebonyi State
The 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony held across Nigeria was also observed in Ebonyi State.
The ceremony which took place at the Unity Square in Abakaliki the state capital on Friday was held in remembrance of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.
Also, the deputy governor of the state Eric Igwe, who represented the state governor David Umahi, performed the wreath-laying at the ceremony.
As part of the occasion, 36 pigeons representing the 36 states of the federation were released to symbolise the peace our fallen heroes laid down their lives for.
Imo State
In Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and patriotism in protecting the territorial integrity of the country even in the face of daunting insecurity challenges.
The governor disclosed this at the Heroes Square in Owerri the Imo state capital the venue for this year’s armed forces day celebration.
Governor Uzodinma promised that his government will continue to support the military as well as families of retired and late military officers who fought for unity and peace in the country.
Below are some of the pictures from the Armed Forces Remembrance Day: