The Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has urged Nigerians to show support for officers and men of the Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism in the country.
Oshiomhole stressed that war against insurgency required concerted effort among all Nigerians, whether military or civilian.
The governor, who made this known while commissioning a 10-kilometer network of roads, rebuilt by the State Government and complete with walkways in the Nigerian Air Force Barracks in Benin, commended the force for providing the needed backup for the ground troops in a bid to maintain security in the country.
He also commended them for making the ultimate sacrifice for their fatherland, a risk he said many would ordinarily avoid.
Oshiomhole said, “I know that this is a very busy period for the Nigeria Armed Forces and as the Chief of the entire Air Staff, I need not be educated on your own specific challenges with regard to providing Air cover to our men and women under arms who are confronting insurgency in the various parts of the country.”
“Many of us, a few years back, would have sworn that Nigerians love life so much that even the poorest among us would not want to go and wire himself or herself to pay a price of no just cause. Even when there was a just cause, we were not sure that Nigerians would be willing to make such sacrifices.
“But this has become part of our recent history and like everything that has a beginning, I believe with concerted efforts, this insurgency will be brought to an end.”
He maintained, “For too long, Nigerians myself inclusive, probably never appreciated the role of the Armed Forces and we took the role of the Armed Forces in securing the territorial integrity of the country and even internal security for granted. We in Edo State appreciate the sacrifices being made by Officers and Men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and I know a few who have paid the supreme price just to ensure that we are safe.”
While highlighting the cordial relationship between the state government and the Air Force, Oshiomhole however, charged the officers and men of the Armed Forces to continue to dedicate themselves to protecting the territorial integrity of the country and promoting democracy.
He assured that the state government would cooperate with the force in the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed Air Force Secondary School at the Air Force Barracks, in the state capital.
