As the parades go forth at the Cenotaph in Abuja and the 36 state capitals, one is reminded again of the contributions and sacrifices by our gallent and brave men and women of the armed forces. One would expect that on this very day, even children will tell of its tale to succeeding generations and of the joyous memories that they've tirelessly fought that we might have.
However, the events that has shaped our history has left impurities of not so much a powerful force as was the hopes and aspirations of it founding fathers, the aftermath is telling on the security challenges, especially, the terrorist attacks on helpless communities and even some military base. This has tainted the perfect image once conceived of our power force as against its former. This is in no way a belittling of our gallent soldiers but a measure of the realities of our current society; the result of a further divided nation along the lines of Extremisms, power driven and drunk leaders and the greed for power and frame even at the detriment of the lives of fellow country men.
Today, we also commemorate the end of a 3-year civil war, that claimed the lives of our fellow countrymen in their thousands and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira. From our honoured dead, let's learn from them the lessons their demise teaches. And renew our commitment to the green and white flag. Let's realign our selves to it's creed of Unity and Faith Peace and Progress
We remember in a special way men and women of the Nigerian Legion. An association of ex-service men and women of our armed forces. We join in their plea for prompt payment of their pensions and other welfare packages to better their lives as senior citizens.
As the 21 gun salute goes on, we call for an end to the activities of terrorist groups and condemn their actions. Let the playing of the last post be a call for an aggressive and last attacks on the terrorist's strong holds. And the minute silence be our respect for our honoured dead. Let the playing of wreaths be their surrendering and final rest for our fallen heroes and the release of pigeons symbolize in truth, the end of terrorism and terrorists on our shores.
God bless Nigeria.