By Dianabasi Effiong

An interdenominational Church service was held Sunday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Navy Barracks, Akim in Calabar Municipality to herald the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Week.

In a message to the service, Governor Bassey Otu charged Nigerians to remain committed to the values of sacrifice, service, and unity, stressing that the task was imperative as veterans need to be appreciated for the sacrifices they made at the battlefield.

Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the governor noted that families of the veterans deserve unwavering support, respect, and care for the rest of their lives, considering the values of sacrifice, service, and unity for which they fought.

“As we commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, it is a profound reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform for the peace and unity of our nation.

“Today, we honor the heroes of the past and present, those who fought during the Nigerian Civil War, the two World Wars, and those currently engaged in the battle against insurgency, including the fight against Boko Haram.

“They laid down their lives to protect our sovereignty while ensuring our freedom and maintenance of peace,” Otu remarked.

To Cross Riverians, the governor enjoined them to be models of harmony and progress in line with the sacrifices of the Armed Forces who labored to build a future where peace and justice prevail.

Earlier, in a homily entitled “How To Truly Honour Our Fallen Heroes”, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Raphael Adelana, admonished the nation’s Armed Forces to work towards avoiding unnecessary wars.

According to him, “we must be more kinetic in our approach to wars, making conscious efforts to avoid wars and conflicts that lead to the death of our brothers and sisters.”

Adelana observed that wanton loss of lives, hard drugs, greed, and corruption were ravaging the Nigerian society pointing out that the country needs peace in order to prosper.

The deputy governor took the first Bible reading during the service while the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, took the second reading.

The service featured intercessory prayers, music by the Nigerian Navy Catholic Women, and a special thanksgiving led by the deputy governor accompanied by service commanders and members of the Armed Forces, including veterans.

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