Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has stated that the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of Nigeria’s military for their past and present service to the nation.
Governor Adeleke stated this at the grand-finale of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and wreath laying ceremony at the military cenotaph in Osogbo.
While commending the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes in defending the nation’s sovereign integrity, peace and unity, Adeleke advocated a renewed focus on funding of the security sector, alongside security sector reform.
While noting that the country is faced with heightened security challenges at a time of national and global economic crises, he stressed that national and State leaders must brainstorm on how best to meet the financial needs of the security sector.
“We must re-evaluate our financing options, focusing not just on military hardware. We must innovate to care sufficiently for the welfare of service personnel and veterans. Neglecting welfare of service personnel is a disservice to effective national defense,” he said.
While emphasising that the laying of wreath ceremony was not a jamboree or fun seeking exercise, Adeleke held that it was a solemn tribute to the dead as well as the living.
“We are celebrating men and women who pay the supreme price for the continuous existence of our nation as an indivisible entity. We salute our heroes, the gallant servicemen whose blood were spilled for national defense. At the same time, we pay homage to our veterans, the living witnesses of patriotic service.
“As I noted during the emblem fund raising launch, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to our service men and women for their past and present service to the nation. Governments at all levels must ensure that our gratitude translates to improved service conditions for service personnel and unconditional care for the veterans and their families,” he added
