Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a symbol of national spirit of resilience, unity and strength in diversity from the civil war to the current struggle against terrorists and insurgency.
He made the remark at this year’s interdenominational church service to mark the 2022 Armed Forces and Remembrances day, held at the National Christian Centre Abuja.
The Vice President was represented by the Secretary to the Federation; Mr. Boss Mustapha said people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds are united by their nationality and their desire to serve their country.
Professor Osinbajo noted that Nigeria is populated by people of diverse aspects and ethnicities as this diversity is reflected within the military.
He added that the patriotic commitment of gallant men and women of the Armed Forces is woven into the fabric of the common destiny as a united indissoluble nation.
The Vice President also said that “the durability of the union has been made possible in large parts by the dedication to duty of the men and women of the Armed Forces often at great cause to themselves”.
According to him, on this day, they remember their brothers and sisters, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, to safeguard the nation adding that the veterans, the military who willingly put their lives in harm’s way to keep the rest safe.
He noted that since the dawn of time, warfare has been a symptom of the reality of human conditions which compel them to fight for peace and safety of the country.
‘’Indeed an ancient platoon adage says see this per the same Para Bello which means if you want peace, prepare for war’’, he said.
According to him, in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 2 verse 4, the scripture speaks of the day when God will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many people.
Similarly, in the book of John, Chapter 3 verses 9 to 10, the scripture enjoins people to proclaim this among nation, to prepare for war adding that in the book of Ecclesiastes, that there is time for everything and season for every activity under the heavens, a time for war, a time for peace.
He said “there will always be those that are called to bear the burden of the people so that the rest can ply on the fields and harvest their crops as this is the call of the military profession”.
He also added that they are not just fighting to preserve the Nigeria of today with all its imperfection but to leave a better country behind for their children to make a Nigeria where justice and peace reign.
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who took the first reading took his text from the book of Psalms 68 from 1 through the end, says may God arise and make His enemies be scattered.
General Irabor commended the members of the Armed Forces especially the veterans for laying a good foundation upon which they are building upon to bring peace and security to every parts of the country.
He said “there are challenges but it is not as much as when they started”.
The Defence Chief urged the general public that there will be no need for anyone to live in fear as the year will be good for all Nigerians.
He said that “the government has done well in taking care of the troops as he promised that the government will do more on the troops welfare as the economy improves”.
Bishop of Ekiti Oke Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Isaac Olubowale during his sermon said that the National Anthem signifies the Nation’’s status and he explained what each stanza stands for.
Bishop Olubowale said “while they celebrate, the voice of God is saying who shall he send and who will go for the task in Nigeria as the country is in dire need now.”
Present at the interdenominational service were Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Secretary to the Federation, Boss Mustapha who represented the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo Bishop of Ekiti Oke Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Isaac Olubowale, the Director Protestant, Nigerian Air Forces, Air Commodore Dogo Gani amongst others.
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