Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has, launched the emblem appeal fund for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, praising the armed forces for their resilience, dedication and sacrifices towards achieving the security and stability of the nation.
Governor Oyebanji, who performed the launch at the Jibowu hall, Government House, Ado Ekiti on Thursday noted that Armed Forces remembrance day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our gallant servicemen and women, who through courage stood as a defensive wall of our national unity as well as a moment to honour the veterans who continue to inspire the nation with their dedication and resilience.
While noting that the significance of the launching of an appeal fund is to show love and support for the gallant soldiers, the Governor reaffirmed the State’s commitment towards building a society where peace, security and unity prevail. He called on all residents of the state to support the Armed Forces Remembrance Day’s activities handsomely.
Governor Oyebanji stressed the need for all residents of the state to prioritize security matters to make the environment safe for everyone adding that it is the duty of all to sustain a mind for freedom and greatness of the country to ensure that the labour of our gallant heroes past and living is not in vain.
The Governor, who made a donation of 0f N10 million on behalf of the state and a personal donation of a million, emphasized that his administration has zero tolerance for insecurity and will leave no stone unturned in his drive to ensure the security of lives and property of all residents of the state.
He said, “Steady efforts will be made to protect the atmosphere where every citizen will be secured. It is expected that citizens in return will hold the government in the areas of information and vigilance as most occurrences in security could be easily tracked with the cooperation of all.
“The reality of the human experience is that there is hardly any part of the world where absolute peace exists, despite our best efforts as human communities, but for the men and women in the art world, the world will be inhabitable and then short and brutish, we are therefore always grateful to them.
“The irony of life is that these great men and women who have decided to protect the rest of us often do so losing their lives in their thirties. Evidences are bound that a greater percentage of those who escaped death but sustain permanent disabilities may be living from hand to mouth, neglected by the society they tried to protect and unable to sustain their health and the ageing process set in.
“In nation building, all of us give something to people in our country but there are men who give everything and these men are part of the Nigerian Armed forces, and that is why we must remember their sacrifices.”
“Let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where peace, security and unity prevail; a society worthy of the sacrifice made by our Armed Forces. It is in this light that I wish to reemphasize the need for us to work as a nation together in unity; beyond diversity, beyond differences of tribes and tongues and religion, to come together and build a sense of nationalism, loyalty and brotherhood; and there is no better body presently in Nigeria that symbolizes this brotherhood than the Nigerian Armed forces.” He added
In her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi pledged the continued support of the public servants to the course of the Nigerian Legion and cherished their supreme sacrifice to the development and security of Nigeria.
The Chairman of, the Nigerian Legion in Ekiti state, Mr Atoki Abdurazak Nigeria legion thanked God for giving their members a Governor like Mr Biodun Oyebanji who has the passion and feelings for them by giving them the platform to thrive in the state.
Also at the event were the acting Chief judge, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (Rtd.), members of the state executive council, Service Chiefs, Chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers, represented by the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye and, labour leaders among others.