•Urges Nigerians to celebrate gallantry of nation’s troops
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that peace has started returning to troubled areas in the country, which according to him, were faced with terrorism and banditry attacks in the past.
This is just as the president emphasised the need for Nigerians to always celebrate with pride the exploits of the military to keep the nation united.
Buhari, who spoke at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, during the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem appeal launch, said the Nigerian Armed Forces have effectively applied themselves to countering all attempts by the nation’s enemies to disturb the country’s peace.
He stressed that places that were hitherto inaccessible and deserted have now been occupied by citizens who have returned to their normal homes.
According to him, the renewed onslaught on bandits in the north-west had resulted in the military daily receiving insurgents who are voluntarily laying down their arms.
”We are not going to be satisfied until peace is finally restored to every inch of our land,” he stated.
The president also lauded the exploits of the Nigerian Armed Forces to maintain peace, unity and stability in the country, urging Nigerians to celebrate them as the pride of the country.
Paying glowing tribute to veterans who devoted most of their active lives to securing the nation and the world, particularly those who paid the supreme sacrifice, President Buhari said:
”Our country’s efforts at nationhood since independence have been challenged by civil strife, a civil war and much uprising and violent agitations.
”However, in spite of all these, the country has remained united and the resolve of the citizens for unity remains unshaken.
”The exploits of our Armed Forces to maintain peace as well as their disposition to the unity of Nigeria have contributed in no small measure to our stability.
”We must therefore celebrate them as the pride of our country. Our faith in our Armed Forces remains unshaken and as a government we will do all within our powers to ensure that our Armed Forces are motivated to perform optimally.
”They have time and again demonstrated unparalleled patriotism, courage, loyalty and commitment as they grapple with the daunting challenges of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
President Buhari described the emblem as a sign of the sacrifices and blood shed by officers and men of the Armed Forces for peace and security of Nigeria.
”It is also a sign of our resolve to remain united as a nation and confront any challenges we may face. It is a sign of our resolve to say no to divisions and embrace one another as a united indivisible country,” he added
The president called on all Nigerians to make generous donations to the Nigerian Legion, support the widows and orphans of the fallen heroes, procure the emblems and wear them with pride.
“The same call goes to all visitors and friends of Nigeria as well as corporate bodies operating in Nigeria,” he said.
On the Nigerian Legion, the president noted that the need to maintain the comradeship that existed during the service among officers and men of the Armed Forces led to its establishment through an Act of the National Assembly.
He commended the Nigerian Legion for living up to its mandate of catering for the welfare of ex-servicemen and those that distinguished themselves in the wars Nigeria participated in.
The president stated that the veterans’ organisation has remained a veritable pool of abundant and diverse human resources.
”I have the pleasure to acknowledge the contributions of retired officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the ongoing war on insurgency.
”The government will continue to welcome these vital contributions. I charge the Ministry of Defence to continue to promote the engagement of our retired officers and men in seeking avenues of contributing to our national affairs.
”I am glad to note that the Nigerian Veterans have contributed to the socioeconomic development of our country through engagement in productive ventures thereby generating employment opportunities for themselves and other Nigerians.
”This is a further testimonial to the patriotism of these Nigerians. They have demonstrated abiding faith in Nigeria and its development. We sincerely commend them and all Nigerians who have continued to believe in Nigeria by making it their investment destination,” he said.
