AS the nation commemorates this year’s armed forces remembrance day, Osun State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Tuesday charged Nigerians to embrace peace by shunning hate speech and avoid sentiments that can trigger crisis and violence.
He called on Nigerians to shun conduct capable of undermining the atmosphere of peace, unity and harmony.
Speaking during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, at the military cenotaph in Osogbo, Oyetola said the best honour to commemorate the departure of fallen heroes and heroines is for Nigerians to resolve to live together in peace and unity as a people.
He cautioned citizens against violence and things that could lead to war, saying the time had come for all to promote ‘unity in diversity’ as the basis of existence in the country.
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calling for total rededication and commitment to nation building, Oyetola stressed that Nigerians must begin to promote the spirit of patriotism, nationalism and pan-Africanism in their lives.
He, however, assured citizens of his administration’s avowed commitment to prioritise the security sector in the state, maintaining that his government would support the federal government partnership scheme for the Armed Forces and improve on the state’s contribution to the welfare of the Nigerian Legion.
Oyetola subsequently gave a cheque of N5 million to the Nigerians Legion, just as he appealed to corporate organisations and philanthropists to pull resources together for those who laid down their lives in the defence of others and for the country to enjoy peace.
According to him, “as we commemorate this day, I appeal to our fellow citizens to let us all remember that the best honour we can give to our fallen and living heroes is to resolve to live together in peace and unity as people.
“Now is the time to realise that we despise our fallen heroes when we foment crises, kill one another and tear the nation apart, ” Oyetola remarked.
and then