
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has advised Nigerians to imbibe the patriotic fervour of the armed forces personnel in making sacrifices to build a Nigerian nation that works for all its citizens.
He gave the advice in his speech at the 2025 Armed Forces Celebrations and Remembrance Day held Wednesday January 15, 2025, at the Armed Forces Remembrance Arcade Umuahia, saying that Nigeria’s armed forces are embodiments of patriots, who are ever ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for national cause.
Otti, therefore, invited every Nigerian to emulate the armed forces personnel for inspiration in patriotism.
“This gathering presents a special invitation to all of us to think deeply about what we are willing to sacrifice for the good of the Nigerian society and the larger human community.
“The men whose courage, discipline and patriotism we celebrate today have laid down a good marker for us to follow in determining how far we are willing to go in a collective push to build a nation that is truly the pride of the human race,” he said.

The Abia Governor used the occasion to honour the memories and sacrifices of the nine troops that were killed in active duty by hoodlums in various attacks across the state in the last 12 months.
He listed the fallen heroes that paid the supreme sacrifice as Staff Sergent Charles Ugochukwu, Sergent Bala Abraham, Corporal Ugwu Gideon, Corporal Ikpeama Ikechukwu, and Lance Corporal Augustine Emmanuel.
Others remembered with great affect and respect are Lance Corporal Owolabi Ojo, Sergeant Ojo Godwin, Corporal Aliu Sunday, and Lance Corporal Akhider Sunday.
“As a State, we join the Nigerian Army, the hierarchy of the military establishments, families, friends and all that are touched by the departure of these brave warriors in mourning their painful loss,” Otti said.
He noted that the values that inspired the deceased heroes should inspire the nation in the fight against various forms of insecurity threatening the peace and national development of Nigeria.
“We are encouraged to choose valour over fear in a determined opposition against the grave threats posed by religious and ideological extremists, violent criminals and all who have refused to subject themselves to the provisions of our Constitution.
“The good news is that our cause is a righteous one and whatever be the strength and motivation of the enemy, we shall win this raging battle against insecurity and similar threats to the sovereignty, peace and stability of our nation,” the Abia Governor said.

Otti commended the Federal Government for expanding the scope of the Armed Forces Day event to include the celebration of the active servicemen and women defending our territorial borders from internal and external threats.
He called for mutual understanding, peace and harmony among the various nationalities, faith, creed and political persuasions that constitute the Nigeria in order to biild a virile nation.
“While differences in opinions are common in every democratic society, we have to continually reject all forms of extremism in our interactions and dispositions to existential issues because there are no perfect situations.
“At the same time, it must be realised that we have a sacred responsibility to build a better national community by bringing our grievances to the table in a collective search for solutions that generally meet the yearnings of the different constituents of the larger Nigerian community,” he counseled.
Leave a Reply