ADDRESS BY CHIEF HON. AJURIEBIE BRAIN EMERE GOKPA, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF ELEME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY/ LAYING OF WREATH, JANUARY 15, 2025.
Today, we gather in reverence and gratitude for the solemn occasion, held annually to honor the remarkable sacrifices, patriotism, gallantry and bravery of the men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces . These courageous individuals laid down their lives , shedding their blood to water the seeds of our freedom and liberty , ensuring that we live in peace and security.
The holy Bible in John 15:13 KJV, encapsulates the spirit of sacrifice, Greater love hath no manthan this, that a manlay down his life for friends. The men and women we honor today embody this selfless love and commitment.
They made the ultimate sacrifice, not through compulsion but through a voluntary pledge. To safeguard the territorial integrity of our own great nation. They understood that their service could result in the unimaginable loss of lives and the heart breaking news to their loved ones. Yet they choose to serve , driven by love for the country and a sense of duty.
Today, we come together to express our deepest gratitude to these heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for a cause greater than themselves. Their sacrifices have ensured that we continue to enjoy the peace and liberty we now hold dear. As General George Patton once said, ” it is better to fight for something in life than to live for nothing.” They fought for us , for our nation, and for the generation to come.
While we salute their bravery and gallantry, it is also our duty to reflect on the causes that led these brave souls to conflict zones. We must tirelessly address the underlying issues and tensions in our society so that future generations are spared from horrors of conflict. We must strive to ensure that the sacrifices made by our Armed forces are never in vain.
As we remember these valiant men and women, let us also reflect on the the state of our nation, let us reject divisive rhetoric and embrace our diversity as a source of strength. Our differences should not divide us but should be seen as the colorful threads in the fabric of our national identity. We must work together in unity , eschewing political, social and economic motives that seek to exploit our differences for narrow gain.
We must reject the politics of exclusion and zero-sum thinking, let us embrace fairness, equity, and inclusivity. A great nation is built when every citizen has a stake in the prosperity and well- being of the country. We must work towards creating a level playing field, where no one is left behind, and where all Nigerians are treated as equals.
When Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, a younger and brilliant officer, was tragically cut down in battle alongside three other soldiers in Borno State in November 2021, his sacrifice was not for his religion or community alone, it was for all of us . We owe these fallen heroes a debt that words alone cannot repay. It’s enough to offer our condolences, we must take concrete actions to honor their memory and uphold the values for which they gave lives.
Let us lower the temperature of inflammatory and divisive rhetoric. Let us address the root causes of the social tensions in our polity, which have led to separatist agitations across the nations. Our unity is our strength, and we must safeguard it at all cost.
Today we honor the fallen heroes, let us not forget the families they left behind the wives , the children and parents who continue to live with the pain of loss . Let us give them reasons to be proud, knowing that their loved ones died for a cause greater than personal ambitions or desire. Their sacrifice was for the peace , unity and prosperity of our nation.
Here in Eleme Local Government, we remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian Legion, and other security agencies to ensure the safety and well being of our people. We are proud of the collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and our community, which has contributed to making ELEME one of the safest local governments in the state. We will continue to support our Armed forces and honor their patriotism and sacrifices.
On behalf of the Eleme Local Government and the good people of Eleme, I am pleased to announce donations of Ten million Naira to the widows of our Fallen heroes and to the Nigerian Legion. We hope this gesture will ease their burdens and remind them their sacrifice is eternally appreciated.
May the souls of our departed heroes rest in peace.
God bless Eleme local government, God bless Rivers State, and God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria.