Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has called on Nigerians to go beyond political and religious leanings but unite in the search for victory against terror in the country.
Mimiko, who said this at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Government Cenotaph, Alagbaka, in Akure, expressed optimism that with the resilience of the Nigerian people, terror would soon be a thing of the past in the country.
He said, “We must pray for the nation that peace should reign. All hands must be on deck to fight terror. Terrorism is a global phenomenon. All of us across political divide should unite in fighting terrorism.
“There is no religion that endorses mass killing in the name of God. The terrorism challenge is a challenge that we must join hands together to fight.”
The governor also used the occasion to disburse soft loans of N250, 000 each to 40 widows of the dead soldiers to enhance their businesses.
He commended the immense contributions and selfless services of the fallen heroes to the peace and unity as well as territorial integrity of the nation.
Some military retirees numbering about 100 also used the occasion to demand for the payment of their five years pension arrears.
The soldiers, some of whom fought in the Nigerian civil war, said the delay in the payments had made life difficult for them and that they could no longer meet the basic needs of their families.
Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, Akure South, Olusola Joshua, noted that it was wrong for government to celebrate and remember the fallen heroes while their living counterparts were left to suffer.
“We want the public to hear that we are not happy. A lot of our people are suffering. Our message is to the Federal Government because they cannot be honouring the dead, carrying flower on every occasion while they are suffering the living,” he said.
source: nigerianeye
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