KUDOS TO OUR GALLANT MILITARY AS WE MARK THIS YEAR’S ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION

By: Zagazola Makama

January 15 of every year is set aside in Nigeria as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration. On this day, the gallantry, patriotism, loyalty, and sacrifices of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces are reflected upon and celebrated by the Nigerian people.

The day, no doubt, is worth the while considering that since its institutionalization, the Nigerian Armed Forces establishment has remained an indispensable institution that has played an unquantifiable role in the preservation of Nigeria’s corporate entity.

From its role in projecting Nigeria as a key contributor to world peace through participation in peacekeeping operations across the world to its patriotism in waging a civil war to keep the country one and keeping to its constitutional obligation of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection, the Nigerian Armed Forces has remained true to its nationalistic calling.

As of today, many countries across the world are battling with serious internal security challenges, mostly in the form of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of violent crimes. Unfortunately, our dear country is having a heavy dose of this global malady and, worse still, is being assailed in many fronts by vicious insurgents backed by international terrorist organizations and unrelenting cross-border bandits, kidnappers, and plunderers wreaking havoc in our communities and impairing our citizens.

Never in history has Nigeria been so buffeted with the multiplicity of internal security challenges, ranging from terrorism to armed banditry, herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery, separatist agitation, cult and ritual killings, etc., as is happening now.

In all of these serious security challenges that have posed threats to national security, who else but the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces are called upon to protect Nigerians and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria? Who else is on the harm’s way taking bullets on our behalf if not our gallant troops? Never in its history, not even during the civil war, has our Armed Forces been so stretched with the task of providing internal security assistance to the point of deploying troops to 36 of the 36 states in the country, as is the case today.

Thanks to the Nigerian military for being able to contend with the relentless, hydra-headed monster of insecurity that is so determined to destroy the peace and stability of our country. Thanks to our brave officers and men who have laid down their lives in defense of our country from fierce enemies and brutal adversaries.

Thanks to our patriotic military that recognizes their constitutional obligation of protecting our democracy and defending our sovereignty. Thanks to our gallant military for not shirking their onerous responsibility right from the commencement of the offensive against the Nigerian state by the Boko Haram terrorists and other enemies of our country.

Many members of the Armed Forces have laid down their lives in pursuit of global peace; many paid the ultimate price in the fight against terrorism in the North East and in defending our country from other violent criminals.
Many others have lost their limbs or have been maimed for life; many young families of military personnel have been thrown into mourning and sorrow; and many more soldiers are still in harm’s way, doing all they could to defend and protect us from those who seek to destroy us.

To these, Nigerian people owe them a world of debt, a debt of gratitude, and on this occasion, we are called upon to celebrate and honor our departed heroes and heroines and to pray for the repose of their souls. We are called to remember families, relations, loved ones, and those who daily bear the pain and deprivation of their absence.

The solemnity of this day compels us to reflect on the fact that the war against enemies of our country is not a battle for our soldiers alone. All of us men and women of goodwill have a role to play in the defense of our dear country. What our military and all other agencies that are engaged in the war against terror and other internal security operations across the country need at this moment are unflinching solidarity, support, and cooperation.

As citizens, we must ensure that their morale is boosted and their fighting spirit is up at all times. That is the least we owe our patriotic and dutiful members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

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