Ahead of the anniversary of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Saturday, 15th January, 2022, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor has declared that the military’s unflinching loyalty and subordination to democratic tenets in the Country should eliminate any doubt in the minds of Nigerians that democracy has come to stay. Irabor made the statement during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme. “Today, I believe that Nigerians are no longer in doubt as to the subordination of the military to the democratic rule which has been sustained since 1999. I believe that no one is in doubt that democracy has come to stay, I believe that no one is in doubt ay longer that the current military leadership, and of course, since democratisation in 1999, that the military is well focused to perform its constitutional roles.”
Speaking on the backdrop of apprehension over recent undemocratic interventions in some West African and North African countries the CDS said, “As you know, the armed forces are responsible for the territorial responsibility of our Nation and giving greater support to the civil authority by virtue of the provisions of the constitution. In doing that, of course, men and women have paid the supreme price, and with respect to having to celebrate the sacrifices of our men and women who of course are engaged in this adventure, especially for those who have paid the supreme price I would say to a large extent, that of course there is nothing that you offer for those who have laid down their lives for the protection of their entire nation that can be too much.
“It is in that light that while thanking Nigerians for the very valued support to the armed forces that I’d like to crave for more. We can do better, we’ve done well no doubt but I believe we can do better.
Speaking on the significance of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Irabor stressed the need to educate the coming generation about the nation’s history.
“Going forward, I believe that some of these misperceptions that some Nigerians have had with respect to military engagement will begin to change,”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of roads linking the Federal Secretariat, Abuja from 2:00pm on Friday.
The directive was contained in a circular that emanated from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan.
The circular called the attention of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government located around the area, including the general public.
The armed forces remembrance day is an annual activity to honour the nation’s fallen heroes.
