By Young E. Freeborn, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged Nigerians to shun inflammatory remarks and divisive tendencies for the sustainable peace, unity and development of the nation in line with the heroic sacrifices of the country’s fallen heroes and legionnaires.
He gave the charge at a special interdenominational thanksgiving mass in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the Emmanuel The Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba, the state capital.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the state deputy governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, said Nigerians owed it a duty to the fallen heroes and the nation to emulate their examples of sacrifice and commitment, and pursue the path of peace, unity, and justice.
He reminded all of the need to pray for global peace at this time, especially for the peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestinian and the Russia-Ukraine war.
He said the thanksgiving service was part of activities lined up to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a day set aside to honour the nation’s fallen heroes and legionnaires, pointing out that it was also a platform for sober reflection on the past, present and future of the country.
While saying that many of the country’s compatriots paid the ultimate price to protect the national sovereignty and preserve the unity of the country, he lauded them for their bravery, courage and abiding faith in Nigeria.
The governor challenged all to ensure that commitment to the legionnaires as well as their widows and children went beyond the annual ritual.
He affirmed that the state government was committed to supporting the legionnaires in various ways.
He challenged the legionnaires to reciprocate government’s gesture by organizing themselves and embarking on meaningful projects and programmes that would complement the efforts of the government to improve the living standard of ex-servicemen.
Oborevwori called on everyone in a position of trust to lead with the fear of God for them to be able to make the right choices and decisions that would deliver good governance to the people.
Earlier, in a sermon, Monsignor John Aduba, the Rector of Saint Joseph Pro Cathedral, Asaba, noted that the service was to celebrate members of the armed forces who are still serving and to remember the fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the unity of the nation.
Monsignor Aduba thanked the serving, retired and fallen soldiers for their selfless service to the nation and reminded all of the need to give special attention to the needs of the families of fallen heroes.
The first lesson at the service was read by the deputy governor, Sir Onyeme, while the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, took the second lesson.
Sir Onyeme and other guests later joined service commanders and legionnaires to make special thanksgiving to God.
The 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day was concluded with the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph, Asaba.
