Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has called on Nigerians to avoid creating conditions capable of leading to further bloodshed and to work towards sustaining democracy in the country.
Akpabio who made the call on Tuesday at the grand-finale of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the Cenotaph, off Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, noted: “As we honour them, our commitment must be to protect democracy and ensure we do not create conditions, which could lead to sacrifice of our young men and women anymore.”
Akpabio, who laid a wreath at the cenotaph, said: “In 1966, some majors attempted a coup.
“An act of indiscretion on the part of the top military man (when he failed to resist the allure of power and ensure the continuance of democracy) led to a Civil War and again we lost our precious sons and daughters.
“It is a lesson for the military and civilians alike to learn from.
“We must do everything to ensure the sustenance of democracy on our shores.
”If we let the power of love overcome the love of power, we will have peace in this country, and see the end of conflicts in our shores.
“We must remember always that soldiers belong to us.
“They are our fathers and mothers, uncles and aunties, sons and daughters.
“They must not be made to die in situations we could avoid simply by the application of sanity.”
Akpabio commended members of the Nigerian Legion for always taking care of the families of their departed colleagues, adding: “Our partnership with them would only get better this year.
“I urge them to remember that my dear father was one of them and I have special interest in them.
“Let courage and bravery of the Unknown Soldier challenge us and leave us with a deeper faith in our country.
“Let the sacrifice spur us to respond to the call of our country and build a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
“The Unknown Soldier is not dead.
“He marches on in our legends and folklores.
“He lives on in our hearts.”
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