…Appeals for calm over Tudun Biri incidence
Governor Abdullahi Sule has donated ten million naira on behalf of the Nasarawa State government, as well as a bus to members of the Nigeria Legion, as part of activities marking the 2024 armed forces remembrance day.
Governor Sule announced the donation while launching the 2024 emblame and appeal fund, which held at the Ministry for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Tuesday.
This is just as the Governor commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State over the unfortunate incidence in Tudun Biri that led to the loss of lives and property.
While appealing to the general public to remain calm and avoid acts capable of overheating the polity, he assured that the Federal Government has already taken over the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
Governor Sule emphasized that the Nigerian society is confronted with a lot of security challenges ranging from militancy in the south-south, insurgency in the north-east, banditry in the north-west and farmers/herders conflict and kidnapping in the north-central and agitation in the south-east.
“These situations have continued to pose security threats to our collective peace and harmonious co-existence across the country,” he said.
He therefore employed all and sundry to continue to pray for the sustainance of peace, unity and respect for human values and dignity, as well as, the progress of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
According to Governor Sule, the armed forces remembrance day provides Nigerians with yet another opportunity to pay tribute to the members of the armed forces who have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of the country and indeed humanity as a whole.
He said the event is also a period for sober reflection on the struggles of the country’s gallant officers and men of the armed forces for upholding the unity and territorial integrity of the nation, thereby assuring all the citizens of the future for generations yet unborn.
The Governor recalled that aside from participating in the past two world wars, members of the Nigerian armed forces have also been actively engaged in various peace keeping missions across the globe in order to protect the freedom and dignity of humanity.
“It’s worthy of note that over the years, our soldiers have not only lost their lives but sustained various degrees of injuries including loss of vital parts of their body including their hands, limbs, eyes.
“This ugly phenomenon has resulted into incapacitation of officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces and are unable to cater adequately for themselves and their families,” he said.
He pointed out that the period of the annual armed forces remembrance day has been set aside not only to pay glowing tribute to the country’s past heroes but also to honour those that are still alive.
“In this regards, the emblem appeal week avail us the opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our wellbeing as a people,” he added.
The Governor commended members of the Nigerian Legion for their exemplary conduct and partnership with successive administrations in the state and over the years geared towards fostering unity, understanding, growth and development not only in Nasarawa State but the country as a whole.
“I urge you all, as the conscience of our people and indeed, all citizens of the state to resolve today and henceforth to embrace and promote tolerance and mutual coexistence so that Nasarawa State may always experience the level of peace, harmony and tranquility for which we are widely known and acclaimed.
“I equally enjoin all citizens of the state to continue to remain peaceful and submissive to the constituted authorities in order for the evolving democracy to flourish in the interest of the society,” he stated.
The Governor called on all government ministries, agencies and non governmental organizations to patronize the services of the Nigerian legion by engaging them in productive ventures.
He equally directed that all government functionaries in the state arw to wear the remembrance emblem throughout the period of the celebrstion to demonstrate the administration’s solidarity with the fallen heroes.
In his welcome address, Nasarawa State chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Hamidu DanAlmajiri, said the primary objective of launching the armed forces remembrance day emblem is to honour the nation’s fallen heroes who fought gallantly to bring the present Nigeria together and keep it as one.
DanAmajiri pointed out that the legion is saddled with the basic task of looking into the welfare needs of the family of heroes and cater for them.
He therefore solicited for the assistance of the Governor, government agencies, corporate bodies, as well as the good people of the state and Nigeria as a whole to render their usual assistance generally to the legion.
While appreciating Governor Sule for transforming the legion to catch up with other states, being its patron, the legion Chairman assured that members of the legion would continue to be law abiding.
He however urged the Governor to donate a piece of land for the member of the legion to cultivate in their efforts to contribute to food security in the state and country at large.
