Full address of Soun at 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day
The event was held at the Heroes Arcade, Oja’Jagun, Ogbomoso, on January 15.
TEXT OF THE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY OBA GHANDI AFOLABI OLAOYE ORUMOGEGE III, SOUN OF OGBOMOSOLAND, ON THE OCCASION OF THE YEAR 2024 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, 15TH JANUARY, 2024.
The Honourable Chairmen of Local Governments and LCDAs here present,
The Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH and Entourage,
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Ogbomoso
The Area Commander, Nigeria Police,
The Area Commander, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps,
The Divisional Police Officers,
The Commandant, Operation Burst Security Operatives,
The Officer in Charge, Special Anti-Robbery Squad,
The Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps,
Obas, Baales, Chiefs and Community Leaders,
My Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
Principal Social Welfare Officer, Ogbomoso Zone,
Retired Military Officers,
Distinguished Members of the Nigeria Legion,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Compliments of the seasons!
I am happy to welcome you all to this important event organized in remembrance of our soldiers who died and were wounded in various war fought to keep Nigeria one.
Today we gathered here to remember and commend the sacrifices of our fallen heroes who gave their lives in wars to defend our country’s territory and keep our people safe in the war fought which include: First World War, Second World War, the Nigerian civil war and various insurgences in parts of the country.
In all these wars, many lives have been lost, many were wounded and properties destroyed. Many of the wounded regrettably lost parts of their body which make them incapacitated and lead them to dependency for the rest of the lives. There are others alive that carried scars from the horrors of war on the minds that may never heal. It is our prayer that God Almighty will comfort them and heal their souls.
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War, no matter how justifiable is a bad venture anywhere; therefore, we must all work towards avoiding it at all cost. When people are killed, dreams died, children lost their parents, while some women become widows and men widowers while many promising children lost to war.
We must therefore cast our minds back at the events that led to the civil war, the immense human capital loss of tragic war, and resolve that never again shall we allow our community, state and nation by our actions or inactions to experience another war.
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For all men of the armed forces that died, there are dependants who must be taken care by the society. Our gathering here today is to honour our fallen heroes and to take care of their children and widows left behind. It is also important to honour and take care of those men of the armed forces who are still alive through voluntary donations and other welfare supports.
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Ogbomosoland belongs to us all, we must all get ready to work together cooperatively to get our dreams of new Ogbomoso actualized by improving on the existing developments and use our good offices to bring more. The tasks ahead seem difficult but God on our side, and with your collective efforts and cooperation, our twenty-five years plan will be actualized and Ogbomosoland will turn a model city.
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May I use this medium to thank Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State who is the Patron of the Nigerian Legion in Oyo State and other stakeholders who have been supportive to the Legion. I urge you all to continue and improve on this.
I wish you all a prosperous Year 2024.
Thank you and God bless us all.
