By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, on Monday said his administration will ensure that the memories of fallen heroes who fought at reuniting the nation continue to live on.
The Governor gave the assurance, Monday, at the laying of wreath signalling the grand finale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the 11/11 Cenotaph in Calabar, the Cross River capital.
“We have a programme which we are looking at the widows and families of the fallen heroes, and we are also trying to structure the society in a way that such families would not be found wanting as a result of the loss of their dear ones.
“For a country to grow to a level of where we are today, it is evident that people actually sacrificed their lives.
“The people we are paying honour today are those who put their lives on the line; and we have lost so many of them. So it is only very rational and reasonable that a day is set aside in their honour.
“Injury to one is injury to all. So we feel the pain that they feel and we will ensure that the memories of our fallen heroes live on,” Otu maintained.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita, said that the symbolic and memorable celebration of the sacrifices of the nation’s Armed Forces and those who paid the supreme price for the unity of the country couldn’t have come at a more better time than now.
Ene-Ita also likened the price paid by the fallen heroes to Lord Jesus Christ who, though without sin, paid for the salvation of mankind at the Cross of Calvary.
Also commenting, the Chairman, Cross River chapter of Nigerian Legion, Comrade Daniel Ojugbo, thanked the Otu-led administration for the improved relationship between government and the Legion, appealing for better welfare and provision of infrastructure especially the renovation of the Legion’s headquarters as well as other accommodation issues.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event marked on January 15, to commemorate the nation’s departed compatriots who lost their lives during the first and second world wars including the Nigerian civil wars and other peace keeping operations within and outside the country.
