On Sunday, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State admonished the security agencies in the country to be politically neutral in the coming election, saying that politics will go but the country will remain.

The governor, who was speaking at the grand finale of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, promised to keep supporting and working closely with members of the armed forces and the other security agencies in the State.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Makinde equally performed the traditional wreath-laying at the 2023 Remembrance Day celebration.

The governor commended the officers and men of the security agencies for their efforts in battling insecurity in the North East and South East and Oyo state, urging them to continue to ensure that peace reigns in the state and the country at large.

He said: “My advice for them is to continue to remain neutral. The country belongs to all of us ; at the end of everything, politics will go, but the country will remain.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for what they are doing for our country at this period. We have challenges in the North East and South East. We also have few resources and have been asking the security agencies to do much more, and they are trying to cope.

“So, we want to really appreciate their efforts. We have always tried to support them and we will continue in that light.”

The Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Evangelist Julius Ogunkojo, also thanked the Oyo State Government for improving the welfare of the dependants of the fallen heroes in the state.

He appealed to the government to continue to assist the veterans and dependants of the fallen heroes so as to make life more meaningful for their dependants.

He added that any donation by the state government to them will be distributed evenly and equally in the 33 local government areas of the State.

According to him: “They are not being paid their pension. Some did not serve the required years in service. So, you can see they need to be cared for, and that is why we need the Oyo State Government’s assistance to help us to take care of those people.

“Also, we have medically challenged soldiers. We have disabled ones. Any donation the state government gives to us will be distributed evenly and equally in the 33 local government areas we have in Oyo State, which is the duty of the Chairmen of the Legion in this state.

“We also need vehicles and have been begging our governor to help us look into that. We need it to be travelling from one local government to area to the other and attend inter-state meetings.”

The ceremony witnessed the laying of wreaths by Governor Makinde, first lady, Engr. (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde, the General Officer Commanding 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Aminu Chinade and widows of the departed heroes, among other dignitaries.

The occasion also witnessed the 21-gun salute and the symbolic release of white pigeons by Governor Makinde to usher peace into the state.

Other dignitaries at the event include the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chief Judge of Oyo State, designate, Hon. Justice Iyabode Yerima, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola, other commissioners, top government officials, and security officers, Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Mr. Adebowale Williams, among others.
Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde

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