Akpabio honours fallen heroes, hails Nigerians’ resilience despite challenges

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended Nigerians for their resilience stressing that they remained despite the current challenges facing the country.

He spoke at the 2024 Remembrance Day Church Service for the fallen heroes in the military.

He said, “It is an immense honor to stand before this gathering of the faithful as we collectively reflect, pray for, and pay tribute to our brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to uphold peace and security in our beloved nation in particular and the world in general.

“Today, we also remember our veterans, the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who consistently find themselves in harm’s way while safeguarding Nigeria.

“We remember these heroes and heroines, holding firmly to the promise of our National Anthem that their labours shall not be in vain.

“Just as the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity, the blood of these courageous countrymen and women is and continues to be the seed of our unity and progress as a nation.

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It is our solemn duty to ensure that they did not die in vain by promoting the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“Nigeria, this great nation, is populated by people of diverse faiths. Whether Christians, Muslims, or followers of other religions, Nigerians share a deep-rooted belief in God and the power of prayers.

“It is no small feat that despite the challenges plaguing our nation, our people remain united as one entity – Nigeria. This is a testament to the resilient spirit of unity that defines us, transcending our diversity in culture, religion, and tribe.

“The unity of Nigeria came at a great price. The sustenance and defense of this unity rests on the shoulders of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and the true weight of loss is carried by the families and dependents of these fallen heroes.

“If only we could share the pain they feel, then we would truly understand the imperative of eschewing insecurity and violence in all its forms. Wars often start from avoidable unrest and small sparks of conflict that, when left unaddressed, escalate into full-blown catastrophes.

“War destroys lives, livelihoods, cripples economies, promotes vice, and results in environmental degradation.

“We must place the unity of our nation above selfish and sectional interests by guarding our words and being accommodating to our diversity, while remaining sensitive to the plight of others”.