President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has made a heartfelt call to Nigerians to put aside their differences and work towards the country’s common good.
He made the call during the Inter-Denominational Church Service for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations in Abuja on Sunday.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Akpabio emphasized that the blood of Nigeria’s fallen heroes is the seed of the country’s unity and progress.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s diversity with over 500 languages and various faiths, the Senate President however stressed that the nation’s strength lies in its unity and diversity.
He urged religious bodies to lead the charge in promoting peace, love, tolerance, and unity, and encouraged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work together towards a shared vision for the country’s greatness.
He said: “Today we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom, unity and sovereignty. We salute the gallant men and women who continue to carry the torch of peace and security for our nation. They defend our nation with courage, often sacrificing their lives so that we may live in
peace. We owe it to these families, and to their loved ones, to build
a nation where peace, justice, and opportunity prevail.
“The blood of our heroes is the seed of our unity and progress. Just as the blood of the martyrs became the seed of Christianity, so too does the sacrifice of
our Armed Forces strengthen the bond of our national identity. Their sacrifices call us to action: to lay aside our divisions and work together for the
common good.
“Nigeria is a tapestry woven with over 500 languages, diverse traditions, and various faiths. Yet our strength lies in the unity of our differences and in our diversity.
“Fellow Nigerians, the unity and progress of our nation require the active participation of all citizens. The work of nation-building is not for the government alone; it requires every one of us to
rise above divisions and embrace a shared vision for Nigeria’s greatness.
“The Church and all religious institutions must lead the charge in spreading messages of love, tolerance, and unity. By fostering these values, we can blur the lines of division and create a Nigeria that thrives in its diversity. We can build a Nigeria that will never surrender to insecurity, avarice, tribalism, and corruption”.
Akpabio also assured the armed forces of the present administration’s commitment to their welfare, including supporting the families of fallen heroes and addressing veterans’ challenges even as he urged Nigerians not to surrender to sundry challenges bedeviling the country
“This administration is committed to supporting the families of our fallen heroes and addressing the challenges faced by our veterans. Welfare programs are being strengthened, and new policies will ensure that no family feels forgotten.
“As we face the challenges of insurgency, climate change, and economic hardship, let us approach these obstacles with the same determination captured in Winston Churchill’s famous line in the
thick of that World War 2, “We will never
surrender”, he said.
