Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday canvassed support for the Nigerian military to win the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East and other regions of the party.
Ambode spoke at the 2019 annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Independence Arcade of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Idiat Adebule, also performed the memorial wreath-laying and release of pigeons to commemorate the day.
Ambode said that 15th of January was sacrosanct in the political history of the country as it reflects the sad memories of the civil war and also to appreciate the gallant warriors for their heroic exploits which have preserved the sovereignty of Nigeria.
“This is also a platform to commend the officers and men of the armed forces who are engaged in one military exercise or the other to combat insurgency and other threats to our territorial integrity. We remain grateful to you for your bravery and patriotism to put your lives on the line for our country.
“I call on every Nigerian to rise up to the occasion and support our men and women engaged in theatres of war with prayers so that they would achieve resounding victory over those who threaten our peace and national sovereignty,” the governor said.
He called on Lagosians to show love and care to the families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives while defending the country, which according to him, would further reassure them that their loved ones had not died in vain.
The deputy governor took on the first duty of inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the combined detachments of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and the Nigerian Legion immediately she arrived the venue of the ceremony.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, several gun salutes was fired and the deputy governor led others to the pigeon case, where she released the birds to signify peace.
Some of the personalities who performed the laying of wreath ceremony, include representatives of the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly; Chief Judge of Lagos State; Oba of Lagos; service commanders of military and para-military formations, a representative of the widows of the fallen heroes, among others.
JOSHUA BASSEY
