Obanikoro seeks public support for armed forces

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence: placated the protesters
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence: placated the protesters

The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday urged Nigerians to support the armed forces to boost their morale in keeping the nation safe.

He said this in Abuja at the launch of the ‘Support Our Troops Foundation’, an initiative designed to give support to all servicemen and women and their families.

According to him, no measure of honour and support can be enough to show appreciation to them considering how hard they labour to keep others safe.

He also said that though the citizen’s support for them might not restore whatever they had lost, it would go a long way to brighten their spirits.

“Our words of appreciation may not restore broken limbs, rekindle shattered dreams or bring back the lives that we have lost to the service of our country.

“But we will not waste the opportunity and responsibility of saying a kind word. And making a noble gesture and an expression of faith and hope in the great service that these men and women have rendered,” he said.

Obanikoro said that the war against terrorism or the support for the armed forces couldn’t be shouldered by the government alone.

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“You can say a word of prayer for them, help with information. Your expression of faith in their ability to defeat our common enemy is a morale booster that only you can provide.”

He also urged those active on the social media to desist from talking them down or ridiculing them as this could demoralise them.

Founder and Executive Director of the initiative, Mrs Funmi Ogbue, said the servicemen and women were not just soldiers but husbands, wives, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers and should be seen as such.

The vision, she said, is to “create a national culture of pride, patriotism and belief in the brave people who make our armed forces.

“We stand to add value, lend a hand of support, a shoulder to cry on and to say thank you when it matters most.”

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mr Olatunde Ayeni, said the only way to say thank you to them was to provide the confidence they needed to serve better.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that we give confidence to the young ones who want to enlist that if the unfortunate happens they will be catered for,” he said.

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