President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday in Abuja led government officials and service chiefs and the diplomatic community to lay wreaths in honour of Nigerian soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for the unity of the nation.
At the occasion, the President used the opportunity to make video conference calls to Nigerian troops in the battle fields in Sambisa Forest, Yola in Adamawa and to those serving in UN Peace Mission in Liberia.
Speaking with the Nigerian troops at Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest in Borno, Buhari saluted the troops for their courage and urged them to continue to maintain discipline and efficiency for which they were known.
His words, “Your success in defeating Boko Haram in Sambisa was received spontaneously by all Nigerians. I congratulate you and I thank you very much for the honour you have done to the country and to us, well done.
“I wish your families are all well and are getting in touch with you. Please maintain the standard of discipline and efficiency. Thank you very much indeed.’’
Addressing over 2000 soldiers and civilian staff of Nigerian battalion serving with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia, President Buhari, who congratulated the soldiers, wished them a successful mission abroad.
While also commending members of the armed forces serving with the UN across the world, he said the Federal Government was monitoring their performance.
He prayed for their successful operations while in Liberia, and also wished them safe journey back to Nigeria in 2018.
Force Commander on United Nations Mission in Liberia, Major General Uba disclosed that Nigerian troops in Liberia will be the last batch of UN Peacekeeping Mission in that country as UN peace mission in Liberia would end in 2018.
Also speaking via the video conference gadgets with the Commander of the Air Force Component of Operation Lafia Dole, Air Commodore Charles Owoh, who is also the Air Commander, Operation, Lafiya Dole, Buhari lauded the performance of the Air Force in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North East.
“I get regular briefing from your Chief of Air Staff. Your performance speaks for itself and you have raised the morale of your colleagues in the military, especially the army.
“With your hi-tech performance and platforms, we have been able to restore the sanity and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“I am very pleased with the initiative that you have taken in maintenance of equipment. It is very encouraging and a boost to our morale here.
“I congratulate you and please pass my message to your families that we are very cautious of their patience and anxiety whenever you are in the field. Thank you very much indeed.
At the wreaths laying ceremony was the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Acting Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Samuel Onoghen.
Others are the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, CDS, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Service Chiefs, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col Mikah Gaya (rtd), members of the diplomatic corps and dignitaries.
END
