We’ll Not Forget Sacrifices Of Our Armed Forces-Wike

The Rivers State Government has said that it would continue to remember the sacrifices made by the country’s Armed Forces.
The State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike stated this during the Thanksgiving Mass/Inter-Denominational Church Service in commemoration of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa(CIWA), Rumuibekwe, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor said the state government had always intentionally and vigorously supported the security agencies in pursuant of their duties, for the security and peace of the state, adding that, last week, the sum of N30million was released to the families of three police men who lost their lives while carrying out their duties.
“We cannot forget the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, and so, we will continue to support our veterans and the families of those who fought for the survival, unity and freedom of this nation. We will continue to show this love, that is why this service was held to reassure them that the memories of their loved ones will not go away”, Wike stressed.
According to Wike, he would never stop supporting the Armed Forces and security agencies so that they would continue to work efficiently to ensure peace in all the parts of Rivers State, noting that in the past few years, there has been a great improvement in the security situation in Rivers State.
“We want to go forward and better than it is, because it is only when there is peace that development can continue, it is when there is peace that we can have investors to come in and provide jobs for our teaming youths”, the governor said.
The governor expressed gratitude to Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese of the Catholic Church and the Chaplaincy for hosting the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Thanksgiving Mass/Inter-denominational Church Service.
In his sermon, which centred on the theme: “Remembrance”, the Officiating Priest, Msgr. Pius Kii said remembrance was a dynamic movement in two dimensions, and a reminder to the people about what God had done in order to generate an attitude of gratitude, adding that it was what the Armed Forces Remembrance Day signifies.
According to the priest, “We must remember the sacrifices and sufferings of our great men and women in the Armed Forces, those who had died in war, as well as the veterans who fought alongside our fallen heroes”, stressing that “we owe them a debt of gratitude because they sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy today”.
Similarly, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has again, implored the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to end illegal bunkering and artisanal refining in the state.
Wike made the call during the special Juma’at prayer in commemoration of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the State Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The governor, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Schools Sports, Barrister Aribitonye Okiri said there was need for the Armed Forces to look into the new dynamics of challenges in the areas of environmental degradation in the state, and work to promote government policies to end the challenges of soot.
The governor emphasised that soot now portends a major threat to health of Nigerians and foreigners living in the state.
To this end, he urged the Armed Forces to collaborate with the state government to end the environmental menace caused by those engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining.
He assured the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies of his administration’s continued support.
Wike noted that his government has continued in its good stride to promote the welfare of the Legionnaires, and security operatives who daily pay the supreme price to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of the Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Malik Tanko, urged Moslem faithful to live a life of gratitude to Allah.
“We appreciate Allah for the gift of life. We must remain content and live peacefully with our neighbours. Never be overtaken by evil but live your lives in love, peace and brotherliness”, he said.
The grand-finale of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration would hold on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph with parades and wreath laying activities.