15th January, 2016
Kazeem Ugbodaga
R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, being welcomed by Commander, 9 Mechanized Brigade, Brigadier General Bulama Biu; Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship Beecroft Apapa, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji and Commander, 435 Base Service Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Danladi Santa Bausa, during the Y2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on January 15, 2016.
As the nation marks this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has urged Nigerians to be united so that the nation can make progress.
The Governor, who laid the wreath in remembrance of the fallen heroes at the Memorial Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Friday advised Nigerians to be united if the nation must move forward.
The Governor, who was answering questions from newsmen on his view of pocket of threats to national security, said the Federal Government is winning the war against insecurity in the country.
“What you say are threats are really not because they are being fully combated by the Federal Government and as you can see, we are making progress and we are having improvement on security of the country.
“So, I just want to advise Nigerians that the unity of Nigeria is more important than anything you can think of. It is only when we are united that we can make progress. You know the present administration is so particular about the development of the country.
“Nigeria is bigger than any individual and so we advise all Nigerians to know that the cohesion and unity of Nigeria is what is paramount to this government,” he said.
The governor added that the armed forces remembrance day is significant for the nation as people sacrificed their lives to build the nation.
“If you look at the history of Nigeria, today, we remember our fallen heroes. Without them there will be no Nigeria as we speak and so it is very important that beyond even remembering them, we should also rededicate our lives in a manner that we will always remember that the cohesion of Nigeria is so significant and that it is important for all of us to hold Nigeria together. That is really the significance of this event,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Oba Akiolu prayed for the families left behind by the fallen heroes, and urged Nigerians to be disciplined and committed to doing the will of God.
He said all that the fallen heroes fought for revolved around having a united, peaceful and disciplined nation.
Apart from the Governor, other dignitaries who performed the laying of wreath at the event are the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade; Commander 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Bulama Biu; Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Apapa, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji; Commander, 435 Base Service Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Danladi Santa Bausa; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu, among others.