The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the sacrifices of the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are the foundation upon which the citizens stand tall.
Akpabio said this at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Lecture and Art Exhibition, organised by the Defence Headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.
His speech titled, “Building a Synergy for Development”, was presented on his behalf, by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Gbenga Daniel.
Akpabio said that every inch of progress and additional endurance recorded had been rewarded with the courage, sweat and too often, the blood of the men and women of the armed forces.
He also hailed the families of the servicemen and women, who he described as the unsung heroes for carrying the weight of absence, burden of uncertainty and responsibility of unwavering support.
“Your sacrifices are the foundation upon which our citizens stand tall. Nigerians owe you a debt that can never be fully repaid.
“The Nigerians will dream of a nation where opportunity meets justice and prosperity,” he said.
He said the gathering was not merely to observe a tradition, but honor a legacy that was forged on courage, sacrifice and unyielding devotion to the nation.
“Today we do not only remember our heroes, we celebrate their resolve, their resilience and their remarkable contributions to the development and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Great nations are built for the strength of their institutions and the unity of their people.
“Our armed forces are truly exceptional, but they cannot succeed in isolation.
“These challenges we face, insurgency, banditry and the pursuit of sustainable development require a unified response.
“We must commit to a partnership grounded in trust, mutual respect and the shared vision for a better Nigeria,” he added.
The Lecture titled, “Armed Force Celebration and National Development” was delivered by the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Lucky Irabor.
In his lecture, Irabor called for enhanced civil-military relations to avoid the military being seen as anti-people as well as welfare and well being of its veterans.
He said that the sense of duty and patriotic disposition of the veterans could serve useful purposes in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
In the area of security, Irabor said that veterans could serve as part of the early warning systems in various parts of the country where they are domicile and as part of the team of first responders to security threats in various communities.
He added that they could also assist in security policy development at the community level and also serve as part of local law enforcement or civil defence and emergency services.
The event also featured art exhibition of some selected artworks from the Nigerian Army Museum and some Nigerian artists, anchored by Prof. Jerry Buhari of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.