The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has declared the readiness of his goverment to partner and give all necessary backings and incentives to security forces to rout evil doers perpetrating killings, Kidnappings and banditry in the state.
Governor Oyebanji maintained that the country’s security forces and paramilitary agencies possess patriotic and zealous personnel that can defeat the multifaceted insecurity pummeling the nation and restore orderliness, if given the right impetus they required.
The Governor said this in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, during a Church Service held at the Government House Chapel in commemoration of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana(Rtd), insisted that no sacrifice or motivation is too high to be accorded the fallen and living heroes, who laid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of the Nigerian nation.
The Governor maintained that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies had done marvelously well in taming the insurgents and bandits terrorising the Northeast and Northwest geopolitical zones, saying the havocs could have been worse, but for proactive actions being taken by these gallant soldiers at the battlefield.
Governor Oyebanji expressed worries at the level of carnage being experienced among the Nigerian Army at various battlefields in the country, saying this was suffice for government to remember these fallen and living heroes to serve as morale booster to others.
He said; “Today was specifically dedicated to celebrate our fallen heroes, who fought hard to make Nigeria be in peace and they must neither be forgotten nor allowed to die in vain.
“These men and officers at various times paid the supreme price , so that Nigeria can stand firm together and united. Many of them fought at ECOMOG and as United Nations allied forces in many countries. Many of them were killed, some were maimed and some survived by providence, who deserved to be celebrated for their gallantry.
“As of now, some of our officers are still being killed in the Northeast insurgency, which has spread to the Northwest,Northcentral,Southeast and other parts of the country. The only way we can recognise and say we respect them is to say thank you and by taking care of the widows, families and children they left behind.
“But let me assure you that the government and people of Ekiti State recognise the work that our security forces are doing. We also want to assure you that Governor Oyebanji is ready to partner and motivate our security personnel to curtail insecurity in Ekiti.
“The Governor has been rendering help to all of them and that is why Ekiti is rated as the most peaceful state in Nigeria and this will continue to show respect and honour to our fallen heroes and to give hope to the living ones, who are still very ready to work for our nation”.
In his submission, the Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery, Akure, Ondo State, Brig Gen. Muktar Adamu, appreciated Nigerians for recognising the fact that these fallen heroes must be supported, honoured and respected.
Brigadier Adamu, represented by Artillery’s Garrison Commander, Brig Gen. C.M. Zebere, said; “We have to remember them because they paid the supreme price to keep Nigeria one. These heroes must not die in vain.
“There was a need for all of us to support the families of these victims. It is only today that we know, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. We thank Nigerians for even deeming it fit to remembering them in death by recognising today as one day that must be celebrated”.
In his sermon at the service, the Chaplain, Ekiti State Goverment House Chapel, Pastor Segun Awolumate, said that the families of the fallen heroes will be rewarded by God even if the nation forgets them.
Pastor Awolumate told those who are still in the service not to despair by some inadequacies being witnessed in the country’s reward mechanism, urging them to take solace in the fact that God was there to compensate humanity based on their deeds and misdeeds.
Quoting copiously from Genesis 15:1-6, the man of God said; “Men, government and even our nation may forget what our fallen heroes had done, but God will never forget them. God will surely open the book of remembrance for the families of the departed souls”.
Pastor Awolumate charged Nigerians to pray fervently for the country’s security forces to win the multi-pronged wars being waged against insurgents, kidnappers,bandits and ritual killers.
Other dignitaries at the church’s procession were Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, representative of the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly,Rt Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, representative of the Head of Service, Barr. Bamidele Agbede, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata(SAN).
The roll call also include; Chairman, Ekiti State Legion, Abdurasaq Atoki, Special Adviser on Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof Bolaji Aluko, Special Adviser on Media/Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces,Paramilitary agencies, among others.
