Mark to Troops: Fight Hard to Protect Nigeria’s Unity

Mark to Troops: Fight Hard to Protect Nigeria’s Unity

Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Monday examined the protracted spate of terrorism threatening Nigeria’s unity and tasked the armed forces to be more decisive in the fight against the menace with a view to keeping the nation united and secure.

Mark, who made the remark after he was decorated with the emblem of National Coordinator of 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day by Brigadier General Rogers Nicholas, said the state of insecurity in Nigeria has become so worrisome that Nigerians seem to be uncertain about their future.

According to him, the armed forces “remain the last man standing in this difficult situation. It is therefore incumbent on our armed forces to rise up to the challenge in order to secure Nigeria and Nigerians.”

He argued that the government was conscious of the challenges faced by officers and men of the armed forces especially in the North-east where members of Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is unleashing a reign of terror on the people.

Mark, who commended military’s commitments against terrorism also argued that the federal government was prepared more than ever before to ensure improvement on the welfare of soldiers including the deployment of modern equipment to aid their fight in the war.

“Government is appreciative of your pains and sacrifices to keep Nigeria united. We can only encourage you to keep on the good work in order to make Nigeria a safer and better place,” he said.

He also advised the military to propose and send a legislation to the National Assembly which he said should consist of provisions for the upkeep of members of the families of soldiers who died in the course of fighting for Nigeria’s unity. He said doing so was important to ensure that their efforts and sacrifices were not in vain.

He added that such fallen heroes deserve national honours for their gallantry “because they died so that we may live.”

Also speaking, National Coordinator of the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Brigadier General Nicholas, said the annual event was meant to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the fallen heroes who fought to keep Nigeria together, saying “whatever proceeds realised from the sale of the emblem would be channelled for the upkeep of the dependants of the fallen heroes.”

Source: This Day Live