Governor Hope Uzodimma on Thursday led the people of Imo State in honouring the nation’s military veterans and fallen soldiers to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The event, held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square (RANKS) Cenotaph, coincided with the second anniversary of the governor’s second term in office, turning the day into a “twin celebration” of patriotic sacrifice and spiritual thanksgiving.
Speaking after the symbolic laying of the wreath, Uzodimma emphasised that the annual exercise is not merely a ceremonial act but a profound recognition of the “ultimate price” paid by security personnel to keep Nigeria’s borders intact.
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“The solemnity with which we lay the wreath on this day is not merely an act of remembrance, but a profound honour bestowed on our fallen heroes,” Uzodimma stated.
“Their sacrifice reminds us that the freedom, pride, and unity we enjoy were secured through courage and unwavering devotion to duty.”
The governor extended a heartfelt message to the families of deceased officers, acknowledging the immediate and enduring pain of their loss.
He noted that the state stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones traded their lives for the safety of the Nigerian people.
The governor honoured the silent strength of spouses and children left behind, felicitated with President Bola Tinubu for his leadership of the Armed Forces and prayed for the continued protection of the officers and men currently on the frontlines of national security.
The 2026 Remembrance Day held special significance for the “Shared Prosperity” administration.
Earlier in the day, the governor attended a Special Interdenominational Thanksgiving Mass at the Government House Chapel.
The service marked exactly two years since his second-term inauguration in January 2024 and six years since his initial assumption of office in 2020.
The governor described the day as a moment for “spiritual reflection” and a reaffirmation of his mandate to provide security and economic growth for all Imo residents.
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The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute, the sounding of the “Last Post,” and a minute of silence observed by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Nigerian Legion.
It served as a stark reminder of the ongoing battles against regional insecurity, with the governor pledging that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support to security agencies to maintain the “relative peace” currently enjoyed in the state.
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