I heartily welcome you all to the formal launching of the
Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2018 Emblem and Appeal Fund. Our
gathering here today is in continuation of a worthy tradition of recognizing
and appreciating the sacrifices of our veterans in the First and Second World
Wars, Nigerian Civil War, Peace Support Operations around the world, and
Internal Security Operations particularly the ongoing war on insurgency in the
Northeastern part of the country.
2. It is indeed worthwhile to honour the memory of our
distinguished veterans who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep the country
united. Some others have spent the best part of their lives in Service to keep
our nation and the world in peace.
3. The resolve by our countrymen and women to remain in one
indivisible and indissoluble nation, Nigeria is at the centre of this
celebration. Indeed the Remembrance Day Celebration is being marked on the 15th
of January instead of 11th of November as in other Commonwealth nations to
commemorate the end of the Nigerian civil war – a war that was fought to keep
Nigeria one.
4. We must therefore cast our minds back at the events that led to the civil war, the immense human capital loss of the tragic war, and resolve that never again shall we allow our dear nation by our actions or inactions to experience another war.
5. I want to salute the gallantry, courage and sacrifices of men and women of the Armed Forces as they grapple with diverse and contemporary security challenges plaguing the country.
6. I appreciate your display of unparalleled loyalty to the
country and dedication to duty. Being one of you, I understand what you have to
undergo. This administration will continue to do all within its power and
resources to ensure that your welfare is adequately catered for.
7. The noble culture of appreciation and respect for
veterans and servicemen and women experienced all over the world is very much
part of us in Nigeria.
8. I therefore look forward to a time when business concerns
and service providers in the country would give special recognition and
consideration for these distinguished citizens and support the veterans’ cause in
any way they can through voluntary donations, employment opportunities and
welfare support.
9. As a government we desire to improve the capability of
our Armed Forces. I am glad that our efforts are yielding positive results
already in boosting the morale of men and women of the Armed Forces.
10. We will continue to engage them in training and
retraining to improve on their capacity to discharge their constitutional
roles.
11. As I launch the Emblem today, I call on all Nigerians,
the Diaspora and our friends to donate generously to the cause of the Nigerian
Legion and families of the Fallen Heroes.
12. I implore all to procure and wear the emblem with pride
as a way of identifying with those that laid down their lives, the
incapacitated and others still who are daily in harm’s way in order to
guarantee our peace and security. We will always remember them and the respect
we owe them.
13. I also hereby launch the Partnership Scheme for the
Armed Forces in which all Nigerians, corporate organizations and government
agencies should support and partner with the Nigerian Armed Forces in
appreciation of the sacrifices of these honourable men and women.
14. May I use this medium to commend the Nigerian Legion of
which I am the Grand Patron, for its effort in maintaining comradeship of the
Servicemen and servicewomen after retirement.
15. Let me use this opportunity to thank the state Governors who are patrons of the Legion in their respective states for the support they have been rendering to the Legion. I urge them to continue and improve on this even in the face of dwindling resources.
16. Distinguished Veterans, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my singular honour and privilege to launch the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund
17. Thank you all and God bless Nigeria.
0 Comments