Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Tidi Urges All To Demonstrate Spirit Of Peaceful Co-existence, Tolerance

As Nigeria celebrates Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Dr Michael Tidi, Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, has urged all to demonstrate the spirit of peaceful co-existence and tolerance with one another as a way of immortalizing the efforts of our fallen heroes and heroines who have sacrificed their lives to keep Nigeria one.

Tidi said this in Warri during the launching of Emblem Appeal Fund/Grand Finale of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Warri South Local Government Area.

He noted that Nigerians should use the opportunity of the occasion to encourage themselves to show heartfelt appreciation to the great sacrifices and indeed altruism of Nigerian veteran soldiers.

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The Warri South Council Boss, therefore called on everyone to imbibe the spirit of peace through dialogue, consultation and inter-ethnic harmony rather than conflict.

“We should ensure that the unity of the nation is placed above all other interest so that our veteran soldiers who died in the course of fighting for the unity and peace of Nigeria may not have done so in vain.

“I like to also state that this celebration calls for sober reflection and a high sense of tolerance and sacrifice by all and sundry.

“It would be necessary to remind you that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is designed to pay tribute to our veteran soldiers who laid down their lives while in the service of their fatherland during several wars fought to uphold the much desired peace in our land.

“The first and second World War (1914 – 1918) and (1939 – 1945); the Nigerian Civil War (1967 – 1970); the Regional and International Peace-keeping operations in various parts of the World and lately the fight against insurgencies, banditry to mention but a few.

“These soldiers, no doubt exhibited the highest level of patriotism and loyalty to this country by their supreme sacrifices,” Tidi said.

Tidi also enjoined all to donate and contribute generously to the Emblem Appeal Fund, assuring that the funds being raised would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for the well-being of the dependants of the fallen heroes and disabled soldiers.

The Warri South Council Chairman also used the occasion to encourage people in the council to ensure they participate actively in the ongoing continuous voter’s registration.

He said the call has became important because “in democratic governance, your vote determines your future leader(s) and as we carry out our civic duties in the course of the forthcoming elections, we should ensure that we eschew every form of violence and other electioneering vices that could truncate our peaceful co-existence.

“This call also became necessary because the year 2023 is our general elections year. Those of us who are living witnesses of any civil unrest will attest that violence is an evil wind that blows no society any good. Instead, it leaves a lasting scar of wantom destruction, human lives, increased widowhood, orphans and a period of untold hardship,” Tidi said.

n his opening address, the Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Warri South Chapter, Major Pius Unurhiere ( CNC) stated that the annual celebration of armed forces remembrance day, has continued to fall in standard, even as he thanked the Warri South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Tidi, for reviving the celebration.

Major Unurhiere, averred: ” I love to say a very big thanks to the Chairman of Warri South, Dr. Michael Tidi. Before now and many years back, this place ( Erejuwa Playground, Warri) we are today, looked like a grave yard, not maintained, even where the unknown soldier is standing, the grass here was measuring height with him.

” I therefore request the honourable chairman for a better continuity, to make an office for the legionnaires as part of his legacy. Our roaming street children, will walk in here and find something to do for their lives , instead of going where they will put tyres on their neck for destruction. ”

The colourful ceremony, featuring parade by the legionnaires and members of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC serving in Warri South Local Government Area, was climaxed with the laying of wreath by Dr. Tidi, Major Unurhiere, service chiefs, representatives of traditional rulers in Warri, Warri South PDP Chairman, Mr. Johnson Agbeyegbe, Warri South Council Head of Personnel Management, Dr. ( Mrs.) Minnie Igbrude and Comrade Esimaje Vincent Awani, a Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.