Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, paid glowing tributes to the patriotism, courage and sacrifices of fallen heroes in the Nigerian Armed Forces, ascribing the nation’s unity and peace to their sacrifices.
This was as the Governor said that caution must be taken to ensure that the events that led to the Nigerian Civil War are never allowed to repeat themselves again.
Governor Okpebholo, who stated these at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Benin City, the Edo State capital, also acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of the fallen heroes, saying that the occasion was a solemn one as it reminds all, that people paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy the unity and peace we currently enjoy today.
He stressed that no honour was ever good enough to quantify the level of sacrifices of members of the Nigerian armed forces and therefore urged Nigerians, and Edo State citizens in particular to honour their memories by ensuring that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes were not in vain.
In the words of Okphebholo; “Our fallen heroes have served this nation and given their all by paying the ultimate price for the unity of this nation. We will continue to honor their memories and I pray that their souls continue to rest in peace.
“Nigeria is enjoying peace today and we are still united as a nation today because, these gallant armed men laid their lives for the nation.
“We are here today because of their sacrifices and there is nothing we can ever do to adequately honor them, other than to make sure their sacrifices are not in vain.”
While expressing Government’s commitment to catering for the families of the fallen heroes, Governor Okpebholo said welfare packages will be initiated and sustain for their immediate families to cushion the effect of the loss of their breadwinners.
Okpebholo was accompanied by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa; Chief of Staff, Gani Audu; Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army; representative of the Oba of Benin, other security chiefs; and widows of some of the fallen heroes.
A statement by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, said that high point of the occasion was the laying of wreath by Governor Okpebholo in honour of the fallen heroes.
