The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina has said that Nigerians who fail to pray for the security of the country might be guilty of prolonging the war and insecurity recorded across different parts of the country.
Adesina Friday, said this in an article titled, ‘The Decent for the Indecent, the Just for the Unjust’ written to mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Nigeria has held a ceremony to commemorate the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The event which held at the Arcade in Abuja seeks to honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes and the men who give their all to defend the nation’s peace and sovereignty.
The article in part reads in parts;
“But victory is from God alone. That is what we must realise as Nigerians. Do we ever pray for our troops in the frontlines? Do we remember those youths, our pride, and strength, faced by death daily, as we sleep in the comfort of our homes, ensconced in the tender bosom of our wives.
As we pray; God give me money. Give me a car. Give me a promotion. Kill my enemies. Do it now. Do we ever remember our soldiers? Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray…did you pray for our soldiers? Victory comes from God alone. If you don’t pray, you may be guilty of prolonging the war in North-East, North-west, North-central, and all over Nigeria.
Yes, victory is from God alone. But do some people know? Does it ever enter into their consciousness? They only wail: ‘this insurgency war has lasted too long. The banditry has demystified our military. They are cowards. The top guns don’t even want the battle to end.
They are making money in billions.’ Okay. Making money in billions and wasting our soldiers, our youths, our future and hope, in their hundreds and thousands because of blood money. That is all some people see; permanent cynics and sceptics, who know nothing of altruism, and whose God is their belly. They think only of pecuniary gain, nothing else”
Adesina said Nigerians should seize the opportunity of the Armed forces remembrance day to celebrate the military and not castigate them.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs were present to pay respect to the nation’s heroes in Abuja.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Defense, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the leaders of the Legislature and Judiciary.
At the event, President Buhari reviewed the presidential parade and participated in the wreath-laying ceremony.
A signing of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day anniversary register and the release of the pigeons formed part of the highlights of the ceremony.
The Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a day set aside for sober reflections on the significance of the armed forces to the country and to pay tribute to servicemen and veterans.
Globally, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11 every year and it is known as the armistice day, commemorating the end of the first World War.
But, with the formal end of the Nigerian Civil War following the surrender of the Biafran secessionists on January 15, 1970, the date was changed to mark the restoration of Nigeria’s unity.
Below are some photos from the event.
