Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri,
has called for concerted effort to build a Nigeria that embodied justice, equity and peace and that was deserving of the sacrifices of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Paying tribute to the nation’s slain heroes, he stressed the need to move beyond ceremonial gestures and ensure that the sacrifices of the heroes were reflected in the progress and betterment of society.
The Bayelsa governor said as Nigerians gather annually to honour the memory of former and late soldiers, he was concerned about the paradox that underscored their ultimate sacrifice because they paid the supreme price so that others might live.
He stated: “The legacy of our heroes calls for a Nigeria where justice, equity, and prosperity are tangible realities for all citizens. It is about ensuring that policies and actions bring about meaningful and positive outcomes, addressing the needs of all Nigerians, and working towards the common good.
“Every decision, no matter how big or small, should be made with the aim of fostering unity, justice, peace, promoting development, and enhancing the welfare of every individual in our nation.”
According to Diri, “the cruel irony of war is that those who fought to bring us peace often did so at the cost of their own lives. The bravery and selflessness displayed by these remarkable individuals have inspired generations of Nigerians, and their legacy continues to shape the chapters of our nation’s history.
“We remember their sacrifices, their arduous struggles, and their ultimate giving as we honour their memory of striving to create a better Nigeria for every citizen.”
To families of the fallen heroes, the governor pledged his administration’s support to them, stating that their sacrifices were a shared burden.
The governor also expressed gratitude to the security agencies for their role in ensuring that the state remained peaceful and secure, adding that the government would continue to provide essential support to enable them perform their duties efficiently.
“The maintenance of law and order remains a priority for our administration, as it provides the foundation upon which we are constructing a prosperous and thriving society, one conducive for economic growth, social development, and individual wellbeing, ultimately leading to the attainment of our vision for a more prosperous Bayelsa.”
Highpoint of the ceremony was the laying of wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier by Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, represented by his vice, King Charles Owaba, service commanders and widow of a fallen hero, Mrs Esther Femowei.
