UN joins Nigeria in commemorating Armed Forces Remembrance Day in New York

The United Nations and members of the diplomatic corps on Thursday joined Nigeria to pay tribute to fallen heroes at the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, at the commemoration held at the Nigeria House in New York, commended Nigeria for its leadership role in Africa and globally.

Mohammed said Nigeria remained one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

She noted that for decades, Nigerian soldiers had served under the UN flag in some of the world’s most dangerous theatres and as force commanders leading complex peacekeeping missions.

According to her, Nigerian troops are widely recognised for their integrity, respect for the UN mandate and strong commitment to the protection of civilians.

She said the record of Nigerian peacekeepers demonstrated the country’s commitment to peace through action, often far from home.

The UN deputy secretary-general also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing ambassadors to Nigerian missions abroad.

Mohammed said that since joining the United Nations in 1960, Nigeria had consistently shown that its commitment to peace extended beyond its borders.

She stressed that the commitment was not only to Nigeria’s own security, but also to its neighbours and the wider world.

In his tribute, Nigeria’s Defence Adviser, to the UN, Brig.-Gen. Edward Koleoso, said the fallen soldiers stood firm when others wavered and “placed the survival of our Republic above their own lives”.

“We must never forget that the peace and liberty we enjoy today were “purchased with sweat, blood, and the supreme sacrifice of others,” he said.

“We do not seek glory; we seek only that our sacrifice is not in vain. To my colleagues still in the field: your resilience strengthens our national security every day.

“To those we have lost: their legacy is our peace and we will continue to remember them.”

He acknowledged that the society owes the fallen heroes a debt that can never be fully repaid.

“From the battlefields of the World Wars to the modern struggle against terrorism and transnational crime, Nigerian soldiers have paid the supreme price for the sovereignty of the country.

“We do not just remember their names; we honour their choice to stand in the gap so that Nigeria might endure in peace and freedom.”

The Defence Adviser said remembrance without responsibility is hollow, and commended the brave men and women currently serving under the Nigerian flag in perilous conditions.

“We see your sacrifice, and we stand behind you.

“To the families: the widows, widowers, and children who bear the silent weight of loss, your welfare is not a matter of charity, it is a sacred trust.

“Honouring the dead means nothing if we do not support the living,” Koleoso stressed.

Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, praised the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Armed Forces.

Endoni said the services of men and women of Nigerian Armed Forces, past and present, have been central to the preservation of Nigeria and the promotion of peace beyond Nigerian borders.

“Nigeria has long played an active role in advancing regional stability and supporting international peace efforts,” he stressed.

Amb. Abubakar Jidda, Consul General of Nigeria in New York, in his remarks, thanked the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces for its sacrifices to keep the country together.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr Oluwole Oke, also paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

Members of the Military and Police Advisers’ Community in UN (MPAC) and the African Military and Police (AMPAC) attended the event.