Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq laid the wreath at the cenotaph of the unknown soldier on Wednesday, January 15, a nationwide activity that concludes the weeks-long commemoration of the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Governor also freed the white pigeons, another symbolic gesture that signifies Nigeria’s commitment to peace and harmony following a 30-month civil war in which multitudes of soldiers and civilians died across the country.
He was joined at the solemn event in Ilorin, the state capital, by top government officials, such as Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; security commanders; war veterans; community leaders; academics; members of the Nigerian Legion; and spouses of fallen heroes.
Governor Abdulrazaq urged Nigerians to always remember men of the Armed Forces and security agents for their immeasurable sacrifices for the nation.
He also requested citizens to continue to pray for peace and unity of the country.
“The significance of today is that we must never forget those that held us together today. We must not forget their families,” he told reporters shortly after interacting with veterans at the medical pavilion the state funded for members of the Nigerian Legion.
“We should continue to pray for Nigeria to have peace, harmony, and improved security.”
Other dignitaries who laid the wreath at the event included the Deputy Governor; State Chief Judge Hon Justice Abiodun Adebara; heads of security agencies; representative of the Speaker Kwara House of Assembly and Deputy Speaker Hon Ojo Olayiwole; Commissioner for Social Development Hon. Bosede Olaitan Buraimo; representative of the Emir of Ilorin Sheikh AbdulRahman Kelani; Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, Kwara State branch, retired Brigadier General Abdulkadir Anigiobi; representative of the Vice Chancellor (VC) and Deputy VC Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Prof Yusuf Abdullahi; and Mrs Tiamiyu Fatimo, a widow of one of the fallen heroes.
