Armed Forces Day: Sanwo-Olu advocates supports for widows, families of fallen heroes

 Armed Forces Day: Sanwo-Olu advocates supports for widows, families of fallen heroes

 Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday charged Nigerians with the responsibility of supporting  and appreciating the families of the nation’s fallen heroes.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at a Special Jumaat Service in Commemoration of the Year 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSSCCM), Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat noted that  the Nigeria Armed Forces both the serving, retired and fallen heroes are saddled with the responsibilities of securing the nation. 

He explained that many had lost their lives while trying to secure the integrity of the land. 

According to the governor, supporting the families of the fallen heroes in whatever form is a way of appreciating the efforts of those who laid their lives for the country.

He said: “they died so that we can live, and as a matter of fact, they are still dying for us, so we must do everything within our power to support them. 

"The fact that people are struggling should not stop you from lifting others, we can always lift ourselves. 

"If it is just ten Naira you have, take one naira out of it to lift someone,”.

The governor, therefore, charged the Ministry of Home Affairs with the responsibility of giving some sort of financial aid to the widows of the fallen heroes. 

Similarly, the 14th Emir of Kano,  Dr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi commended the armed forces for their dedication to ensuring the unity of Nigeria. 

Sanusi who was the Former Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria also praised their doggedness in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity.

“I wish to commend the armed forces for their dedication to duty despite the difficult situations that they are operating in.

"Despite some members of the forces paying the supreme sacrifice to protect the civil populace, they remained undaunted to ensure that they uphold the alliance to the call of duty.

"We appreciate you and we pray that Almighty Allah will continue to be with your families,” he said.

While advocating for peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians, Sanusi noted that there was no verse of the Quran that said Muslims should attack people without reasons. 

Speaking further the Spiritual Leader in the Tijanniyah Sufi of the Order of Nigeria emphasized the importance of the armed forces stating that one dies in the course of defending Allah and a country dies as a Sheikh. 

Earlier in his sermon, Imam  Hakeem Kosoko in charge of LSSCCM Alausa, urged Nigerians to continuously celebrate the armed forces, both living and dead because of the huge sacrifices they made for the country. 

According to him“the tasks of the armed forces would not have been tedious if the citizens understood the necessity of life and the rights of others irrespective of the religion either  Christians or Muslim. 

Just as in the Holy Book, the Cleric urged Nigerians to live peacefully and co-existence in love. 

In attendance at the special jumat prayers includes the Lagos deputy governor, the 14th Emir of Kano, Dr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. 

Others, Body of Permanent Secretaries, top government officials, religious leaders, white cap Chiefs, Muslim Umah among others.