By Adekola Afolabi
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has vowed to continue to fight and give everything for the survival of the country.
The Governor, who stressed that Nigeria must survive, harped on rotational Presidency for justice and fairness of the nation.
Governor Akeredolu spoke on Sunday at the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Thanksgiving held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House, Akure, the state capital.
He equally appreciated the Military, the Police, the DSS, the NSCDC, the Amotekun Corps, and the Nigerian Legion for their commitment and resilience in protecting Ondo State and serving the nation.
Also at the event, the Governor implored churches and good-spirited individuals not to cease in praying for the peace and security of the country and Ondo State in particular, especially concerning the forthcoming general elections, even as he charged everyone on the need to conduct themselves in a peaceful and patriotic manner during the electioneering.
Akeredolu who also took the First Lesson from the Book of 2 Samuel 1:17-27, revealed that the celebration is marked annually to rekindle their interest in the affairs of the families, dependants and relations of Nigerians who lost their lives in wars and peacekeeping operations across the globe.
“ I am equally mindful of the fact that several security challenges have claimed lives of many of our great officers and soldiers. Indeed, the selfless services of our men in this noble profession, to ensuring national cohesion and global peace cannot be quantified.
“The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is, therefore, to honour our departed war heroes and veterans and appreciate those still alive particularly those that had suffered various deprivations in the cause of their duties and operations.
“I wish to reiterate that the annual celebration will not be complete without creating avenue for us to thank God for how far he had led us as a nation and as a State. This solemn service is equally an opportunity to commit the dependants of the departed heroes and those amongst them that are still alive, into God’s hands.
” Aside this, the occasion provides an avenue for us to pray for God’s protection upon those that are currently in active service for successes in whatever peacekeeping operations they might be called upon to participate in.
“One of the numerous ways to do this is to donate generously through the Emblem Appeal Fund.
The event was attended by the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, other top government functionaries, top military officers led by the Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Muktar Adamu represented by Lt. Col. Andrews Osueke, Ondo State Council of the Nigerian Legion, led by the Chairman, Col. Olu Apata (Rtd), among several others.
The Pastor in charge of the Region, Pastor Elijah Ajibade, in his message titled, “Appreciating the Sacrifice of our Patriots”, also thanked the state government for holding the programme at the church.
Ajibade explained that the selfless service of both serving and fallen heroes should not go unnoticed, stressing that the fallen heroes had paid the supreme sacrifice to defend the territorial integrity of the nation.
The Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Muktar Adamu represented by Lt. Col. Andrews Osueke, thanked Governor Akeredolu for his unwavering commitment to the security of the state by giving necessary support to security agencies in the state.
Highlights of the celebration were
Prayers for the country, the state, widows and dependants of the fallen heroes, donations and thanksgiving.