By Adewale Owoade
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has advised security agencies to remain neutral during the forthcoming general elections.
Makinde gave the advice at the Grand Finale/Laying of Wreaths of the 2023 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde also appreciated officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their contribution to nation building in view of security challenges facing the nation.
“My advice to the security agencies is to remain neutral; the country belongs to all of us, at the end of everything politics will go and our country will remain.
“And also let me use this opportunity to thank the officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces for what they have been doing for our country at this period.
“We are asking them to do much more with little resources and they are trying to cope, so we want to appreciate them,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in the state, Julius Ogunkojo, appealed to the state government to come to the aid of its members, most especially the physically challenged among them.
“We need the assistance of the Oyo State Government so that we can take care of our members most especially the physically challenged ones.
“We will make sure that whatever is given to us is distributed evenly across the 33 local governments of the state,” Ogunkojo said.
Makinde later laid a wreath in honour of the fallen heroes, followed by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Div. Nigerian Army, Gen. Aminu Chinade, and the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Julius Ogunkojo, among other heads of security agencies and top government officials in the state.
Highlights of the event were the firing of 21 rounds volley (gun salute) in honour of the fallen heroes and also the release of ceremonial pigeons by the governor, which signifies peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Armed Forces and Remembrance Day is held annually in Nigeria on January 15 to remember the nation’s fallen heroes and the significance of the armed forces to the country.
It also honours veterans of World War I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War.
