REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has pledged continued support to the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies in the state to provide them with necessary assistance required to maintain law and order.
Governor Otti made the pledge at the Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph Umuahia, during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day; an event marked annually across the Country to honour the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and to celebrate the courage of serving Military Personnel.
The Governor commended members of the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies for their role in restoring peace and stability across the country and Abia in particular.
He explained that the improved Security situation in the State was the product of sustained collaboration between the Government and Security Agencies and stressed that the progress recorded could not have been achieved without the dedication and sacrifices of Security personnel deployed across the State.
According to him, the impact of improved Security has gone beyond peace and safety, extending to economic recovery and social stability.
The Governor also paid tribute to fallen heroes including foreign peacekeepers who lost their lives in active service in the State noting that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
He disclosed that the State Government has committed to the welfare of the families of deceased Military and Police personnel, noting that their spouses had been provided with means of sustenance, while their children were placed on scholarships up to tertiary level.
Govenor Otti used the occasion to call on Nigerians to reject violence, extremism and intolerance, urging citizens to embrace dialogue and mutual understanding in resolving disagreements.
Speaking in an interview with Journalists, the Abia State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the welfare of serving soldiers and the families the fallen heroes left behind.
Comrade Okoro raised concerns over what he described as the “poor welfare” and working conditions of serving Nigerian soldiers by the Federal Government, despite the annual commemoration of Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The NLC Chairman further decried the plight of families of fallen heroes, pointing out that many widows and dependants were often neglected after their breadwinners lost their lives defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
Some widows of the fallen Heroes Mrs Amarachi Nwoko, Mrs Dorothy Nkume and the Chairman of the Abia Legion Council Lieutenant Cornel Stanley Odionyenfe thanked the state government for the support so far but appealed to Governor Otti to incorporate them into agricultural and business loans to enable them carter for their families.
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration featured the inspection of Guard of honour by Governor Otti, prayers in honour of fallen heroes, laying of wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier as well as the release of pigeons signifying peace.
