Armed forces remembrance day: Nigerians are angry with unending killings- Governor Wike

Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that most Nigerians are unhappy with the direction that the country is headed under the APC Federal Government, especially the unending killings and shedding of innocent blood across the country. 

He warned that Nigerians must never forget to draw from the trials and experience of the Civil War to avoid making mistakes that will push the country into another civil war. 

Speaking during the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Ceremony in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said that President Muhammadu Buhari must take steps to give every section of the country a sense of belonging  to entrench  peace in the country.

He said: “Mr President must match his commitment not only with responsible actions but also stop the state sanctioned marginalization that is fuelling most of the avoidable crisis in the polity by giving  every section of the country a sense of belonging and justice.

“For, not many Nigerians are happy with the current state of  the nation, especially, the direction it is headed and the unending killings and shedding of innocent blood across the country “.

While paying tribute to the military personnel who laid down their lives for the unity of the country, Governor Wike  prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

“Beyond prayers , we must also comfort and extend genuine love to the members of the families they left behind , who in most cases, single-handedly bear the brunt and pains of losing loved ones while  serving the country “, the governor said.

He  lauded the President  for efforts  at tackling  internal security challenges, particularly the ongoing war to free the North-East from the scourge of Boko Haram Insurgency.

The governor assured that the Rivers State Government will continue  to support  the ex-servicemen and serving military personnel.

He directed the immediate release of N100million to the Rivers State Legion to support widows of deceased ex-servicemen to set up businesses.

An official of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State, Colonel Wilberforce Josiah commended Governor Wike for his commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen and women in the State.

Highpoint of the occasion was the laying of wreath by Governor Wike, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani and Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara.  The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Enobong Udoh led other military commanders to lay wreaths.

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Governor Wike also released pigeons as a mark of peace for the event.

Prayers were said for the personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the ex-servicemen by Military Chaplains and Military Imam.

A 21-Gun Salute was shot in honour  of deceased ex-servicemen.  There was also a 2-minute silence for the repose of the souls of the slain ex-servicemen.