By Johnson Eyiangho
Abuja – Youths, including school children are to be involved in the planning and activities to commemorate 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, according to National Planning Committee for the event.
Brig.-Gen. Olufunmilola Soleye, the Chairman of the 26-member committee for the celebration, disclosed this after the body was inaugurated on Friday by Amb. Danjuma Sheni, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
“The essence of this is to sensitise the youth to understand that the relative peace we enjoy today is a result of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and veterans still alive,’’ Soleye said.
The chairman, who is also the Acting Director, Veteran Affairs Division, said that involving the youths in planning the celebration was to “instill patriotism in the younger generation of Nigerians.’’
“It will be necessary to catch them young.”
Earlier, while inaugurating the committee, the permanent secretary noted that members of the armed forces had paid the supreme sacrifice, while tackling the numerous security challenges faced by the nation.
He said “our dear country has been contending with diverse internal security challenges even as it grapples with unconventional warfare waged against it by Boko Haram.
“Similarly, the country has at the same time been involved in peace support efforts in other African countries,’’ Sheni said.
He, however, noted that peace was restored to the North East, which had been ravaged by the terrorists group.
Sheni assured that the Federal Government would do all within its power to honour the memory of the departed heroes and take measures to cushion the effect of their loss on their dependants.
He also assured that government would give priority attention to the welfare of serving members of the armed forces.