Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has assured the Nigerian Legion and the Armed Forces that his administration would go beyond the lip service ritual held every January 15 in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes by translating their desires to concrete action.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, gave the assurance, Sunday, at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service, held at the Presbyterian Church, Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar.
Expressing delight at the coincidence of activities for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day with his Supreme Court victory, Otu promised to “extend a hand of fellowship to widows and families of fallen heroes, ensuring that they share in the “bounty of the season of sweetness.”
“The season of sweetness is not for the rich and highly places in the society, but for the common masses and downtrodden.
“Except the poor among us have something to feed, then the wealth of the rich cannot be enjoyed. The poor, sick and downtrodden must be catered for, for the sweetness of our administration to cut across all strata of the State,” Otu remarked.
He further assured the Nigerian Legion of his administration’s commitment to capture its members and families of fallen heroes in the palliative and other welfare packages of the state government, adding that “throughout my tenure, you will celebrate and smile.”
Speaking on behalf of the Armed Forces, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral O. K. Olumeri, said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was a day to express gratitude to God for the opportunity to defend the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria, reflect on those who paid the supreme price in their line of duty as well as remembrance of those putting themselves in harm’s way for the peace and security of the nation.
While expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support for the Armed Forces in his renewed hope agenda, Rear Admiral Olumeri also lauded Governor Otu for his untiring assistance to security agencies towards maintenance of law and order, peace and security of Cross River State.
In his sermon titled “More than Conquerors,” with scriptural reading from Romans 8:37, 1Kings 3:1-15 and Mark 15:15-32, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Ekpenyong Akpanika said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a remarkable event jeld in recognition of the patriotic contributions of war veterans who paid the ultimate price for the peace and stability of Nigeria, as well as other peace missions overseas.
The Prelate emphasised the need for Nigerians to “pray for those who laid down their lives for us to live.”
The interdenominational service climaxed with prayers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Legion, fallen heroes and families left behind, Cross River and Nigeria at large.
Government House Press
Calabar
14th/1/24
