Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Atiku, Secondus extol military's gallantry

By Samuel Ogidan
As members of the Armed Forces mark its remembrance day today, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday extolled the gallantry of the military.
The duo also commended the military for their sacrifices in defending the nation over insurgency.
Atiku, who paid a glowing tribute to the military, urged Nigerians to show love and respect to officers and men of the armed forces for their bravery.
The former Vice President, in a statement by its media office, urged “Nigerians to honour members of the country’s Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and those who served or are still serving in different theatres of war, notably the Boko Haram insurgency in Northeast Nigeria.
“While many of us took time off from work and other pre-occupations to be with our families over the Christmas and New Year holidays, many Nigerian soldiers and members of other security agencies were in the front lines, ensuring that we were safe, protecting our lives and property, especially in the light of the security alerts over the threat of terrorist bombing during the celebrations. While we ate and drank, they were lying in the trenches, watching out for and poised to quench any sign of trouble. Some have been away from their families, not just during the holidays but for months. Some have yet to set eyes on their newborn childrena�?, Atiku noted.
Secondus on his part, salutes the nation’s armed forces and praises the sacrifice of the fallen heroes.
The PDP national chairman, in a statement, noted that Nigeria is standing as one country today due largely to the contributions of the armed forces to keep it united.
He noted the gallantry of Nigeria troops in containing the Boko Haram insurgency and the supreme sacrifice paid by federal troops and urged them to remain focused to the cause of a United Nigeria.
The PDP boss said: “You must remain committed to your profession and to the development of the country’s armed forces in particular and the country in general.”
He admonished the rest of the citizens, especially political leaders to appreciate the huge contributions of the soldiers especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice by being more patriotic and accommodating.