The Nigerian Bar Association identifies with members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the occasion of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day. This is a solemn occasion that calls for the collective recognition and national recollection of the selfless sacrifices of the great officers; men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who have lost their lives in the service of their fatherland. These courageous Nigerians paid the ultimate price to maintain peace, preserve the unity and protect the territorial integrity of our Country.
The Nigerian Armed Forces as an institution, from inception, has continued to play a pivotal role in the affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In terms of fighting for Nigeria’s unity and ensuring internal security, these gallant compatriots have continued to demonstrate unquestionable patriotism, unalloyed loyalty, and unprecedented courage, even in the midst of deplorable working conditions, with inferior gear and weaponry.
It impossible to chronicle the history of peace keeping efforts in Africa and indeed the world, without remembering the sacrifice of the valorous Nigerians troops across the continent: in the then Southern Cameroon in 1959; in the Congo in 1960; in the then Tangayika [now Tanzania] in 1964; and in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Lebanon in the eighties through the nineties, just to mention a few.
The Nigerian Bar Association is proud of the selfless service and sacrifice of these fallen and serving heroes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We appreciate their spirited efforts in the various theatres of operations in the internal and external fights against banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency. We are confident, and Nigerians have not lost faith in the commitment of all our courageous troops towards the recovery and preservation of every inch of Nigerian territory.
It is our conviction that it is by the Armed Forces continuing to discharge its constitutional and statutory duty of defending the peace, unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria that we can ensure that our fallen heroes have not died in vain. We, therefore, call on all Nigerians to support the efforts of the Armed Forces to ensure the stability of our fatherland. As an association, the NBA pledges our continued support to the Armed Forces in fighting the many security challenges that plague and continue to threaten the peace and progress of our dear nation.
While we pray for the repose of the souls of all our gallant heroes who have fallen in battles; paying the supreme price for their country, we shall forever remember them and carry forward their sacrifices to keep the country united by playing our part, daily, in the fight for the heart and soul of our nation. We are confident that their deaths shall not be in vain.
We commend all serving members of the Armed Forces for their selfless and patriotic services towards maintaining peace and stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Again, the Nigerian Bar Association assures the Military Command of our professional support in our collective quest to bequeath a united, secured, peaceful, and prosperity country to the next generations.
Long live the Nigerian Armed Forces!
Long live the Nigerian Bar Association!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN
PRESIDENT