The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has saluted the men and officers of the Nigerian Army for posing as exemplars of patriotism and courage with the sacrificial way they defended the territorial integrity of nation at the expense of their lives.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for siting 148 Army Battalion Base in Ekiti to reinforce security, describing this as a gesture well acknowledged and respected by the citizens.
Oyebanji gave the praises on Thursday, during the grand finale of the 2026 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day, held at Ekitiparapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
The grandiose military ceremony featured parade by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, inspection of the guard of honour by the governor and laying of wreaths by high ranking figures to venerate the memories of the departed soldiers.
Speaking at the occasion,Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said this celebration shouldn’t be the end of Nigerians’ respect and veneration for the war generals, veterans and the dead soldiers , who fought gallantly and paid the ultimate price to make the country an indissoluble entity.
Going down memory lane, Oyebanji contextualized Nigerian Army’s act of unmatched patriotism from the way they fought virulently during the civil war that ended in 1970 and the multifaceted fights they are still executing to foster peace and unity among Nigerians.
Oyebanji added that the citizens owed those who paid the supreme price a debt of gratitude for laying down their lives for the country to maintain its peace and rating at the global scene.
“Our fallen heroes committed their lives and paid the supreme price so that we may live in peace, pursue our aspirations and enjoy the blessings of fundamental freedom and stable democratic rule.
“We owe them a debt of gratitude that may never be truly repaid, but which we must continually honour through our actions and collective responsibility.
“As we remember our fallen heroes today, we are equally counting the losses and gains of the war. The loss could be viewed from the point of human lives and property, the gain is in the unity and sovereignty, our oneness that affirms Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
“The courage, patriotism and unwavering commitment of these our past leaders remain a shining example of selfless service”.
They Governor said Nigerians recognized the agony and pains of the families of the fallen heroes, praising their enduring strength and courage in the face of these harrowing adversities.
The governor said his government is incurably committed to providing all necessary impetuses that will bolster the performances of security agencies in the discharge of their duties, particularly tackling any insecurity surge and nip it in the bud as promptly as possible.
Oyebanji said the task of sustaining the tempo of relative peace being savoured remained the onerous responsibility of all citizens, by being vigilant and offer veracious information to the security architectures to operate without impediments.
“I wish to charge the security agencies in Ekiti to continue to ensure the security of lives and property through their proactive measures and predictive threat detection. We are determined as a state to give you the needed support in attaining your target.
“Ekiti has been adjudged the most peaceful in the country and as such, we appeal that the peace should be sustained. Ekiti is our home State, we live and work here and we must therefore work assiduously to protect the state through collective security and vigilance. This is a service to all of us and the unborn generations”.
Dignitaries at the occasion were: Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, Chief Judge of Ekiti State,Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, Commander, 148 Batallion, Col S. U Yunusa, Chairman of Legions, Col Abdurasaq Atoki (rtd),Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Ewi of Ado Ekiti,Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Chairmen of Local Governments, security chiefs , commissioners, special Advisers, civil servants, legions, among others