2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Obaseki thanks Security Services, Citizens

In observance of this year’s Armed Forces Day, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, expressed gratitude to the military personnel for their tremendous sacrifice in upholding Nigeria’s unity.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Edo, who are now cooperating with security agencies and giving security agents vital intelligence after efforts to integrate them into the security system were made.

Mr. Obaseki told journalists that the fallen soldiers paid the price for Nigeria’s unity and urged Nigerians to follow in their footsteps after inspecting the parade and laying the wreath in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Joe Acha, Security Chiefs, the Commissioner of Police, the Oba of Benin’s representative, and top government officials.

In his words, “The call to action is for us to follow in the footsteps of these heroes by offering ourselves as sacrifices. It is not always about what Nigeria has to offer.

“We should now start considering what we can do for our nation more, as we will continue to experience the same degree of conflict, crises, and insecurity as we do now unless our thinking changes in that direction.

“Everyone wants to take from Nigeria, but very few want to give back to Nigeria.”

The Governor outlined Edo’s priorities and stated that citizens should imitate the soldiers’ selfless attitude as the State remembers the fallen heroes.

“That is the message that we in Edo are preaching.” The focus should be on us, not you. What steps should our nation, state, and society take to promote harmony and peace?

As for us in Edo, we keep making security-related investments. We are extremely happy and appreciative of the citizens in particular who are now providing information. They now participate in the State’s security structure and express concern. The citizens are the foundation of the security system.

Speaking highly of the State’s security agencies’ collaboration, he said that they are all fighting for the same goal of securing Edo State.

“It is about cooperation, so I also have to thank the security services. Everyone is contributing their best efforts to the joint battle to defend Edo State; nobody is defending their own territory.

Obaseki emphasized the effectiveness of the security agencies’ collaboration, pointing out that the recent rescue of the 12 hostages from the Igueben train station is a prime illustration of how Edo cooperation is strengthening state security.

He stated: “We had the unfortunate incident of the kidnapping at the train station, whose victims have been rescued. It was a perfect example of cooperation between all forces; the Civil Defense, the Police, the Army, the Directorate of State Security, the Vigilante Corps, and our hunters all worked together to ensure that the victims could be rescued.”

Mr. Obaseki clarified the connection between Nigeria’s security state and its economic crisis, stating that the country cannot deny that some of its citizens have turned to crime as a result of their personal financial difficulties.

According to him, “the country’s economic situation is very difficult and is putting pressure on the citizens; some of them are resorting to various crimes and we have to deal with that reality.”