Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has described the Nigerian Armed Forces as the institution that best represents the practical ideals of the Nigerian dream, noting their enduring role in preserving national unity, democracy, and territorial integrity.
Governor Otti stated this during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held on January 15 at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Umuahia. In his address, titled “A Higher Cause,” the governor said Nigerians had gathered to honour an institution that has not only kept the country together but has also evolved into a stabilising force committed to democratic governance and national security.
He recalled that January 15 occupies a special place in Nigeria’s history, marking both the first military coup of 1966 and the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970. According to him, the coup of January 15, 1966, brought an end to the First Republic and plunged the nation into years of military rule, chaos, and institutional breakdown.
Governor Otti noted that many of the challenges Nigeria still grapples with today can be traced to the misadventures of that tragic night, stressing that the lessons include the dangers of simplistic assumptions, single narratives, erosion of trust in institutions, and reckless actions.
He also recalled that January 15, 1970, marked the end of the civil war, when Nigerians collectively resolved to put behind them the carnage and destruction of the past. While acknowledging that national healing is still ongoing, Otti said Nigeria has made steady progress over the decades in redefining its identity beyond ethnic and religious divisions.
The governor said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to honour officers and men who paid the supreme price so that Nigeria, despite its imperfections, could continue to exist. He described the ceremony as a tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the values that make the armed forces remarkable.
“These men and women fear death less when it serves a higher purpose,” Otti said, adding that their courage and sacrifice continue to keep the fabric of Nigeria’s sovereignty intact.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond the nation’s shortcomings and recommit themselves to the ideals for which fallen heroes lived and died, stressing that nation-building requires action rather than endless complaints.
According to him, virtues such as honour, courage, temperance, and fortitude, which are traditionally associated with military service, should also guide everyday citizens in community life and leadership.
Governor Otti commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their commitment to peace and security in Abia State, noting that the state has transitioned from anxiety to becoming one of the safest places to live and travel. He said improved security has enhanced social and economic activities and led to the reactivation of previously dormant resources, particularly agricultural lands.
He assured security agencies of continued support from the state government in maintaining law and order and safeguarding lives and property across both urban and rural areas.
The governor also paid tribute to gallant personnel who lost their lives in active service in Abia State within the past year, praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of Lance Corporal Aminu Sonny, Mwazu Abdullahi, George Sylvanos, and Osed Baba.
He disclosed that the state government has committed to supporting the welfare of their spouses and children, including scholarships for the children up to tertiary level.
Otti added that similar support has been extended to families of fallen police officers, with scholarships provided for their children, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of security personnel and their dependants.
In his concluding remarks, the governor urged Nigerians to shun extremism, intolerance, and violence, emphasizing that diplomacy, dialogue, and mutual respect remain essential to national unity and peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that while disagreements are inevitable, Nigeria’s strength lies in the willingness of its people to engage as members of one national family.
Earlier, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Abia State Council, and retired Military Intelligence Officer, Chief Sir Okereke Samuel JP, described Armed Forces Remembrance Day as a deeply emotional event that draws attention to the welfare of retired and ageing veterans. He commended Governor Otti for his support to ex-servicemen and called for sustained assistance, particularly in agricultural empowerment programmes.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion Council, Stanley Odionyenfe, represented by Samuel Okere, appealed to the government to involve retired military personnel in agricultural and other empowerment initiatives, noting that retirement does not equate to being unproductive.
On her part, Mrs. Amarachi Nwoko Amarachi, a widow of a fallen hero, said the day was meant to honour soldiers who fought in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Nigerian Civil War. She acknowledged the support received from the Abia State Government under Governor Otti, including palliatives and financial assistance, but appealed for skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for children of fallen heroes, as well as monthly stipends for widows to help them sustain their livelihoods.
Similarly, Mrs. Dorothy Nkume, wife of a retired soldier, described the day as necessary for remembering fallen heroes. While acknowledging the pension and support received, she appealed to the government to further assist families of veterans through business support and empowerment initiatives to help them become self-reliant.
The 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony in Umuahia ended with renewed calls for unity, sustained support for serving and retired security personnel, and collective commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
