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Tag: AFRD

  • CAS speaks on best way to pay tribute to Nigerian fallen heroes

    CAS speaks on best way to pay tribute to Nigerian fallen heroes

    Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, says the best way to pay tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes is to sustain joint offensives against non-state actors.

    Abubakar said this on Sunday in Abuja in his tribute to the Armed Forces of Nigeria in commemoration of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    He said there was the need for sustained joint air, ground and maritime strikes against terrorists, insurgents and economic saboteurs in paying tribute to those who paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria.

    Abubakar commended Air Component Commanders of the various joint theatres of operation for the series of successful air strikes undertaken since the beginning of 2024.

    He said that as recent as Saturday, air interdiction strikes by the “Operation Hadin Kai’’ at Tumbunma Baba near Lake Chad was successful in eliminating terrorists and destroying their vehicles and structures.

    The Chief of Air Staff noted that Nigeria could never repay fallen heroes for their efforts at restoring peace and tranquillity, stressing that the efforts must be sustained to return the country to its peaceful past.

    “We have no excuse not to deliver on our mandate as the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has provided the wherewithal for us to succeed.

    “We must, therefore, continue to sustain the momentum of our operations and give our citizens the confidence they require to go about their businesses without fear,” he said.

    Abubakar called on Nigerians to continue to offer gratitude, goodwill, solidarity and unrelenting prayers for fallen heroes and their families.

    He said Nigeria should accord fallen patriots the honour and credit they deserved and reassure those still in service that the country would neither forget their sacrifices nor forsake them in their hours of need.

  • How blood of fallen heroes sowed seed of unity in Nigeria – Akpabio

    How blood of fallen heroes sowed seed of unity in Nigeria – Akpabio

    President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the blood of the courageous men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria sowed the seed of unity and progress of Nigeria.

    Akpabio said this at the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the National Christian Centre Abuja, on Sunday.

    He likened the sacrifices made by the military men and women to the blood of the martyrs as the seed of Christianity.

    According to him, the sacrifices being made by the military will never 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.”

    According to him, this is a testament to the resilient spirit of unity that defines Nigerians, which transcends the diversity in culture, religion, and tribe.

    “The unity of Nigeria came at a great price,” he said, adding that it behoves on all well meaning citizens to defend it.

    The Senate president urged Nigerians to shun violence, and strive to coexist as one united family.

    “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,” Akpabio said.

    He assured Nigerians that the government was committed to multisectoral reforms needed to propel the nation to greatness.

    Akpabio also called on the church to partner with the government in rebranding Nigeria, and spreading the gospel of love for oneself, others, and the country.

    He said there was need to blur the lines that divide the people across ethnic and religious boundaries through messages of tolerance, peace, unity, and progress.

    According to him, the current administration is more determined than ever to strengthen and promote the oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, called on all Nigerians to support the military, so as motivate them to do well.

    Musa said the present government had shown commitment to support the military and other security agencies to restore peace across the country.

    According to him, the armed forces and security agencies cannot do it alone.

    “So we are calling on all Nigerians to continue to support us in all we are doing. We might make mistakes, but they will never be deliberate.

    “And we assure you that the government of the day is giving us the full support that we require, and we will succeed.

    “2024 is our year of liberty and we can guarantee you that we will achieve success,” he said.

    In his sermon titled “Hope of a New Dawn”, the Archbishop of Abuja Africa Metropolitan Church, Arch Bishop Peter Ogumiyiwa, commended the troops of the Nigerian military for their sacrifices to ensure peace of the country.

    Ogumiyiwa also hailed the military for supporting democratic governance.

    The Arch Bishop urged the military and other security agencies to shun corruption and do more in dealing with the menace of insecurity.

    He expressed concern that corruption has become endemic in th country, and urged anti-corruption agencies to beam their search light on every citizen, devoid of regional, ethic and religious sentiment.

    The AFRD is celebrated on Jan. 15 annually, to mark the end of the Nigerian civil war.

    The interdenominational church service is part of activities lined up for the celebration.

    Prayer was held on Friday at the National Mosque for the fallen heroes.

  • COAS celebrates heroes, presents vehicles to veterans

    COAS celebrates heroes, presents vehicles to veterans

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has presented a brand new Hilux Vehicle each to 14 living heroes of the Nigerian Army In commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) 2022.
    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
    Nwachukwu said the vehicles were presented to the veterans for serving the nation when their services were mostly needed.
    He added that the presentation was also in honour and recognition of the sacrifices of both the fallen heroes and veterans who were still alive for their services to the Nigerian Army (NA), the nation and humanity.
    According to him, the presentation was done nationwide, across all formations of the Nigerian army to signpost the significance of the celebration.
    Nwachukwu said the Provost Marshal (PM), Army, Maj.-Gen. Robert Aiyenigba, presented one of the vehicles on behalf of the COAS to one of the beneficiaries on Saturday.
    He said that Aiyenigba symbolically presented the vehicle to the former Regimental Sergeant Major, Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), Ex Army Warrant Officer Akinyokun Felix, on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.
    According to him, the PM stated that AFRDC provided an opportunity for retrospection and appreciation of the patriotism and sacrifices demonstrated by both veterans and fallen heroes.
    “He said it was in appreciation of their services that the COAS presents these vehicles to the retirees, saying the gesture was an affirmation of the high premium, the COAS places on welfare of personnel.
    The beneficiary, retired MWO Akinyokun thanked the COAS for finding them worthy of the award, describing it as a morale booster to them and those they left in service.
    “He added that they would continue to support the NA to succeed in her constitutional mandate, even in retirement,” he said.

  • AFRD: Ikpeazu preaches peace, harmony

    AFRD: Ikpeazu preaches peace, harmony

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has called on Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of the Armed Forces by engaging in acts that promote peace and harmony in the country.
    Ikpeazu made the call on Saturday during this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Umuahia.
    The governor, who was represented by Dep. Gov. Oko Chukwu, said that Nigerians should show greater commitment toward nation’s peace and unity.
    He said that the occasion ought to serve as a solemn reminder of the need for Nigerians to resolve and renew their commitment to continue to live in unity.
    According to him, the gallantry of the nation’s fallen heroes cannot easily be erased because it has been engraved into the nation’s existence.
    “We cannot fail to commend the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against Boko Haram, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, terrorism and secessionists, among other forms of criminalities.
    “We will continue to prioritise security and always partner security agencies in our efforts to sustain the prevailing peace and security in the state.
    “As a responsive government, we will continue to encourage and support the Nigerian Legion and security agencies in all areas possible for the sustenance of unity,” Ikpeazu said.