Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday joined members of the Nigeria armed forces, paramilitary and the Nigeria legion in paying tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes as the country celebrated the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The grand finale of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day which held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, attracted top military officers, heads of paramilitary formations, the Nigeria Legion, top government functionaries and traditional rulers among others.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate the servicemen of the nation’s armed forces.
It is a day set aside to remember those who laid down their lives during the two world wars, the Nigeria civil war, and the various peace keeping operations around the world as well as the various internal security against insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other national threats.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is also used to draw attention to the welfare of veterans, surviving but retired members of the armed forces and those who are sick as well as their widows.
At the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Asaba, Senator Okowa, represented by his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, on arrival took the salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Nigeria Army, Navy and Air force as well as Nigeria Legion.
Thereafter prayers were offered for the nations fallen heroes by Christian and muslim clerics and was followed by the laying of wreath at the tomb of the fallen heroes.
The governor was the first to lay wreath where he paid tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes for their gallantry followed by the commander, 63 Brigade, Asaba, Commander Nigeria Navy Delta, Warri, and the Commander 371 Nigeria Air Force Detachment, Warri, as well as the Commissioner for Police.
Others are the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor, the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, represented by Justice Philomena Obanor, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah.
Representative of the Traditional Rulers Council, represented by the Orodje of Okpe, Erue the 1st, representative of the Christian Religious Group, represented by Venerable Charles Osemenem, Chaplain Government House, Asaba, representative of Muslim Religious Groups, represented by the Chief Iman of Cable Point Central Mosque, the Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, Delta State, Retired Colonel Boniface Ojei, and representative of widows of fallen heroes, Mrs. Onyekachi Okonkwo, also laid wreath.
The event also featured a twenty-one gun salute and the release of pigeons by the governor and other dignitaries signifying peace and stability.
