The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces that his administration will not take their sacrifices for granted.
Governor Otti, who gave the assurance during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Church Service held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Aguiyi Ironsi Layout, Umuahia, pledged his administration’s unwavering commitment to honoring their sacrifices and vital role in safeguarding the nation.
While paying tribute to veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces, the Governor acknowledged their sacrifice, bravery, and dedication in service to the nation.
The State Chief Executive also recalled the tragic cases of Armed Forces personnel who were murdered in cold blood in the state while performing their duties and vowed that the state government would honor their memory and ensure their sacrifices are not taken for granted.
“We want to thank those who ensure we sleep with our eyes closed; we cannot take your sacrifices for granted. There is nothing we can do that will be too much for these heroes of our time,” Otti stated.
The Governor also used the opportunity to thank Abians for their support of his administration and pledged that his government would continue to deliver democratic dividends to the people while remaining focused on the mandate given to him, despite the negative propaganda from the opposition.
“I want to charge all of us that this is the time for us to remain vigilant. Because if you say that the Egyptians you see today, you won’t see them anymore, like the Bible says, it doesn’t mean you should go to sleep; otherwise, the Egyptians will come back.”
“So, you have to permanently sack them, and it is not for me to do, it is for you to do. Power belongs to the people, though power belongs to God. God won’t come down from heaven; He will use you, like He has always used you. So, all the people who are pretending to fight for democracy today, when they have been asleep in the last 24 to 25 years, I think we need to keep them permanently asleep,” Otti said.
Preaching in a sermon titled “The Captain of the Host of Heaven,” the President of Abia North Central Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Kennedy Iheoma, while paying tribute to the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s peace and unity, said the church would continue to honour them.
Pastor Iheoma, who took his text from Joshua 5:13-15, reflected on the encounter between Joshua, the Israelites, and the people of Jericho, and emphasized that faith and trust in God are ultimate.
The clergyman called on members of the Armed Forces to trust and acknowledge God’s supreme authority to overcome every challenge in life, pointing out that God cannot share His glory with anyone.
The 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Church Service was attended by the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilia Otti, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, members of the state executive council, the Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, among other dignitaries, while prayers were made for members of the Armed Forces, the State Executive Council among others.
