President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the nation is winning the war against terror as the state of emergency declared in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is yielding fruitful results.
Goodluck Jonathan stated this on Thursday August 16, 2013 at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja during the burial of gallant officers and soldiers who died in Operation Boyona which was set up to tackle the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-Eastern part of the country and also during peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, Sudan.
The President who was represented at the event by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said their sacrifices would not and will never be in vain. "Indeed for us all, the loss is a tale of regret; but we take solace in the fact that we are winning the war. They shall rest in peace knowing that," he added.
Nigerian President charged the military not to be daunted by the loss, but should re-strategise to urgently end the insurgency. He said that his administration would continue to strengthen and improve the country's security capabilities.
"As members of the Armed Forces, you must appreciate that the military profession is a hazardous job and in conflicts like this, there are bound to be casualties, including deaths. Rather than despair and lose the focus in our objectives, it is incumbent on us to respect and honour the dead by giving them a befitting burial while still strategizing to defeat the enemy," he stated.
Jonathan assured the families of the late military personnel, including those still serving that the country would never forsake them, urging them to "Remember that their loss is also the nation's loss. "Be comforted that your departed loved ones are resting in the bosom of the Lord. May the Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear the loss," he called.
In their separate remarks, the Minister of State for Defence – Erelu Olusola Obada; the Chief of Defence Staff – Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim and the Chief of Army Staff – Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika stated that the soldiers had made Nigeria proud and had laid their lives to ensure that peace and unity continue to reign in the country. They assured that the military would not relent on its efforts to ensure that the peace and unity of the country is not jeopardised.
Speaking on behalf of the relations of the dead soldiers, Iliya Joshua Amuda who is a pastor thanked President Jonathan, the military authorities and Nigerians for their support. He appealed for an urgent end to the activities of the insurgents.
Highlight of the event was the laying of wreath by Vice President Sambo and other invited guests and also the presentation of national colours to the deceased's next of kin.
Victims of Boko Haram and Darfur Peacekeeping: Bodies of two officers, 13 soldiers buried
[/color] President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the nation is winning the war against terror as the state of emergency declared in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is yielding fruitful results. Goodluck Jonathan stated this on Thursday August 16, 2013 at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja during the burial of gallant officers and soldiers who died in Operation Boyona which was set up to tackle the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-Eastern part of the country and also during peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, Sudan.
The President who was represented at the event by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said their sacrifices would not and will never be in vain. "Indeed for us all, the loss is a tale of regret; but we take solace in the fact that we are winning the war. They shall rest in peace knowing that," he added. Nigerian President charged the military not to be daunted by the loss, but should re-strategise to urgently end the insurgency. He said that his administration would continue to strengthen and improve the country's security capabilities. "As members of the Armed Forces, you must appreciate that the military profession is a hazardous job and in conflicts like this, there are bound to be casualties, including deaths. Rather than despair and lose the focus in our objectives, it is incumbent on us to respect and honour the dead by giving them a befitting burial while still strategizing to defeat the enemy," he stated.
Jonathan assured the families of the late military personnel, including those still serving that the country would never forsake them, urging them to "Remember that their loss is also the nation's loss. "Be comforted that your departed loved ones are resting in the bosom of the Lord. May the Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear the loss," he called. In their separate remarks, the Minister of State for Defence – Erelu Olusola Obada; the Chief of Defence Staff – Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim and the Chief of Army Staff – Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika stated that the soldiers had made Nigeria proud and had laid their lives to ensure that peace and unity continue to reign in the country. They assured that the military would not relent on its efforts to ensure that the peace and unity of the country is not jeopardised. Speaking on behalf of the relations of the dead soldiers, Iliya Joshua Amuda who is a pastor thanked President Jonathan, the military authorities and Nigerians for their support. He appealed for an urgent end to the activities of the insurgents. Highlight of the event was the laying of wreath by Vice President Sambo and other invited guests and also the presentation of national colours to the deceased's next of kin.
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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria