Sen. Akpabio Open Speech At Armed Force Remembrance Service
It is an immense honor to stand before this gathering of the faithful as we collectively reflect, pray for, and pay tribute to our brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to uphold peace and security in our beloved nation in particular and the world in general. Today, we also remember our veterans, the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who consistently find themselves in harm’s way while safeguarding Nigeria.
We remember these heroes and heroines, holding firmly to the promise of our National Anthem that their labors shall not be in vain.
Just as the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity, the blood of these courageous countrymen and women is and continues to be the seed of our unity and progress as a nation. It is our solemn duty to ensure that they did not die in vain by promoting the peace and unity of Nigeria.
Nigeria, this great nation, is populated by people of diverse faiths. Whether Christians, Muslims, or followers of other religions, Nigerians share a deep-rooted belief in God and the power of prayers. It is no small feat that despite the challenges plaguing our nation, our people remain united as one entity – Nigeria. This is a testament to the resilient spirit of unity that defines us, transcending our diversity in culture, religion, and tribe.
The unity of Nigeria came at a great price. The sustenance and defense of this unity rests on the shoulders of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and the true weight of loss is carried by the families and dependents of these fallen heroes. If only we could share the pain they feel, then we would truly understand the imperative of eschewing insecurity and violence in all its forms.
Wars often start from avoidable unrest and small sparks of conflict that, when left unaddressed, escalate into full-blown catastrophes. War destroys lives, livelihoods, cripples economies, promotes vice, and results in environmental degradation. We must place the unity of our nation above selfish and sectional interests by guarding our words and being accommodating to our diversity, while remaining sensitive to the plight of others.
The year 2023 was an eventful one, marked by general elections and a change in leadership. Our nation is still grappling with the effects of long-overdue multisectoral reforms needed to propel us forward and position Nigeria among the great nations of the world. I urge for support to the government of His Excellency President Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, during this crucial time as we strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.
In this regard, I reiterate the President’s assurance that “our tough times will not last” and we should renew our hope in a great Nigeria.
Now is the time for all stakeholders to set aside our differences, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliations, and come together to strategize on the way forward for this great nation that our gallant men and women of the Armed Forces paid, and continue to pay, the ultimate price to preserve.
It is also a time for sober reflection, to take stock of past events such as the civil war, and to reflect on current challenges like the war on insurgency, incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians, the spate of kidnappings across the country. We must reflect on their causes and work together to prevent future occurrences.
I call upon the church to partner with the government in a much-needed rebranding of Nigeria. The church is urged to continue spreading the gospel of love for oneself, others, and our country. We must blur the lines that divide us across ethnic and religious boundaries through messages of tolerance, peace, unity, and progress.
This administration is more determined than ever to strengthen and promote the oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria because the strength of our great nation lies in our diversity.
Once again, let us salute the courage and appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women of the Armed Forces.
Let us stand in solidarity with the families of our fallen heroes and heroines. I assure you that the government will continue to evolve policies to address the challenges you face as a result of your loss.
The inclusion of veterans, their dependents, and caregivers into the Social Welfare Register through the Ministry of Defense is a commendable initiative of the current administration.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces is committed to implementing welfare programs within the services for the families of deceased personnel while making continuous efforts to address any remaining gaps.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today we pray, just as our National Anthem implores us, “in love and honesty to grow,” and that “the labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain.” Nigeria will remain one united, strong, and indivisible nation that all citizens and the world at large can be proud of.
I call upon my compatriots to rise, for a new era of Nigerian glory is upon us.
Thank you for lending me your ears, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
My SPEECH TODAY AT THE ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, HELD AT THE NATIONAL WORSHIP CENTER, ABUJA.
