Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Gov Emmanuel cautions against divisive tendencies

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Saturday during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Uyo appealed to citizens to eschew tendencies that help to ferment conflicts in the country.

Emmanuel reminded that the gallant patriots being remembered, paid the supreme price due to conflicts generated years back, advising that such conflicts should not repeat themselves again.

He said that the rich diversity should represent the strength of the nation and not be a platform to enlarge the fault lines or differences.

He said the nationals must learn from the past and make compromise, learn to jaw-jaw instead of war-war.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our people to eschew tendencies that helped provide the ferment for conflicts.

“We are a nation rich in diversity, and our diversity should represent our strength and not be platforms to enlarge our fault lines or differences.

“God has given us all that we need to succeed and excel. We must weld and meld these layers of our diversity and knit together a tapestry of oneness, brotherhood and unity based on justice, equity and fairness.

“Most of the issues that led to conflicts where these gallant patriots paid with their lives could have been resolved if we had listened to one another and appreciated the concerns and grievances our aggrieved compatriots had brought to the table of discussion.

“Unfortunately, we were stuck in our set of demands and were unwilling to make compromises. We must learn to jaw-jaw instead of war-war,” Emmanuel said.

He said that the duty of supporting the gallant patriots should be a collective responsibility and not to be left for governments alone, stressing that it was not enough to remember the date without enough support to the war veterans.

He said, “It is one thing for us to gather here every year to eulogize these patriotic and brave men and women, but as Ronald Reagan once enjoined “if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice.”

The Governor said the State Government over the years has continued to support the military formation located in the state in areas of infrastructure and welfare.

“On our part, we have shown in practical terms our deep appreciation for the sacrifices our gallant patriots made.

“We are grateful for the deep collaboration we have enjoyed from the Nigerian Armed Forces especially those with command locations in our State, such as the 2Brigade of the Nigerian Army, and other arms of the Services.

“We have to date, built 168 blocks of flats for the Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army Battalion located in Ibagwa; we have done the water reticulation aimed at ensuring the residents of the barracks have clean water.

“We are determined to intervene in other quality of life projects. This is, just a little effort on our part to show that we appreciate the sacrifices the Men and Officers of the Nigeria Armed Forces are making to keep us safe and secure,” he said.

Emmanuel said that as the nation is preparing to elect a new set of leaders next year, national interest should override personal or group interest.