Mbah Reaffirms Support for Armed Forces, Families at Remembrance Day

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, fallen heroes and their families, pledging continued partnership with the Federal Government to ensure their welfare and recognition.

Speaking at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Okpara Square, Enugu, Mbah described January 15 as a solemn moment for national reflection on the sacrifices made by military personnel to safeguard the country.

He said the state’s support for the Armed Forces went beyond ceremonial observances, stressing that it was reflected in practical care, advocacy and sustained collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure that serving and retired personnel, as well as bereaved families, were treated with dignity and compassion.

Mbah also urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the nation’s history of internal conflicts, warning that peace and security could only be sustained through unity, dialogue, restraint and shared responsibility. He noted that the scars of events such as the Civil War and subsequent conflicts underscored the high human cost of division.

According to the governor, the loss of a soldier extends far beyond the battlefield, affecting families and loved ones who bear the burden of grief for a lifetime. He emphasised that honouring the fallen must include consistent support for those they left behind.

Earlier, President of the Military Widows Association of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Mrs. Sarah Charles Ugwuabonyi, commended the governor for his concern for the welfare of military widows, while appealing for employment opportunities and skills acquisition programmes to further ease their challenges.

Highlights of the ceremony included the inspection of a guard of honour by the governor, wreath-laying at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier, and the release of pigeons as a symbol of peace.

Dignitaries present included the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General O.A. Fadairo; senior officers of the Navy and Air Force; heads of security agencies; traditional rulers; and top state government officials.