…appeals to all eligible voters to go collect their PVCs

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr Michael Tidi on Sunday called for sober reflection as Nigeria celebrate Armed Forces Remembrance Day in commemoration of our fallen heroes.

Tidi made this call during the 2023 launching of Emblem/Grand finale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat, Warri.

Tidi reminded those present at the occasion that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration was designed to pay tribute to “our veteran soldiers who laid down their lives while in the service of their fatherland during several wars fought to uphold the much desired peace in our land.”

He therefore, used the opportunity to appeal to all those present to donate to the Emblem Appeal Fund, saying that the purpose of the Appeal Fund was to raise funds for the upkeep of the orphans and widows of the departed soldiers and the surviving and disabled veterans.

Tidi said the fallen heroes, have no doubt exhibited the highest level of patriotism and loyalty to the country by their supreme sacrifices, adding that “We should therefore use the opportunity of this occasion to encourage ourselves to show heartfelt appreciation to the great sacrifices and indeed altruism of our veteran soldiers.

“I like to also state that this celebration calls for sober reflection and a high sense of tolerance and sacrifice by all and sundry,” Tidi said.

The Warri South Council Chairman noted that the only we can show appreciation for the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price so that we may remain united, is for us to demonstrate the spirit of peaceful co- existence and tolerance with one another.

“As you may be aware, a crisis situation anywhere and anytime in the world has never added to human value. The Russia-Ukraine war presently ongoing has brought untold hardship to the world economy.

“It is therefore important for us to sustain the democratic governance which has provided for amicable and organized means of resolving our differences.

“We should ensure that the unity of the nation is placed above all other interest so that our veteran soldiers who died in the course of fighting for the unity of Nigeria may not have done so in vain, Tidi said.

Tidi, also used the opportunity to appeal to all eligible voters in the council to ensure they collect their voters card and participate actively in the forth coming general elections.

According to Tidi, “This call has become important because in democratic governance, your vote determines your future leader(s).

“And as we perform our civic duties in the course of the forthcoming elections, we should ensure that we eschew every form of electioneering vices that could truncate our peaceful transition to enduring democracy and co-existence.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Warri South chapter, Mr Pius Unurhiere, lamented that the numbers of the Widows of the fallen heroes were drastically increasing due to Banditry, Terrorism and other forms of insecurity situations in the country.

While thanking the Warri South Council Chairman for his care and listening ear, Unurhiere appealed that an office be built for Legionnaires and the Widows of the fallen heroes at the Erejuwa play ground, stressing that this would enable all hands to be on deck so that subsequent celebration will not take them unaware.

The occasion climaxed with the donation to the Emblem Appeal Fund and open air interdenominational service.