As Cross River holds an inter-denominational service in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has charged the citizenry and, by extension, Nigerians, to remain committed to the values of sacrifice, service, and unity.
Otu, who gave the charge on Sunday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Navy Barracks, Akim in Calabar Municipality, the venue of the event, maintained that the task was imperative as veterans need to be supported so that their sacrifices don’t end when they leave the battlefield.
This was contained in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill.
Represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the governor noted that families of the veterans deserve unwavering support, respect, and care for the rest of their lives, considering the values of sacrifice, service, and unity for which they fought.
“As we commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, it is a profound reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform for the peace and unity of our nation.
“Today, we honor the heroes of the past and present, those who fought during the Nigerian Civil War, the two World Wars, and those currently engaged in the battle against insurgency, including the fight against Boko Haram.
“They laid down their lives to protect our sovereignty while ensuring our freedom and maintenance of peace,” Otu remarked.
To Cross Riverians, the governor enjoined all to be models of harmony and progress in line with the sacrifices of the Armed Forces who labored to build a future where peace and justice prevail.
Earlier, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Raphael Adelana, who spoke on the topic, “How to Truly Honor Our Fallen Heroes,” admonished the nation’s Armed Forces to work towards avoiding unnecessary wars.
According to him, “we must be more kinetic in our approach to wars, making conscious efforts to avoid wars and conflicts that lead to the deaths of our brothers and sisters.”
Adelana reasoned that wanton loss of lives, hard drugs, greed, and corruption were ravaging society; hence, there is a need to understand that the nation needs peace to prosper.
The deputy governor took the first reading while the speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, took the second reading at the event, which featured intercessory prayers, music by the Nigerian Navy Catholic Women, and a special thanksgiving led by the deputy governor, accompanied by service commanders and members of the Armed Forces, including veterans.
