Buhari hails military for ‘keeping Nigeria united’

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the armed forces for ensuring peace and order across the country.

The president, while speaking at the the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem appeal launch on Monday, said despite the challenges, the military has made sacrifices to help maintain peace and stability.

Buhari said both serving and retired members of the armed forces deserve to be celebrated for their patriotism.

“Our country’s efforts at nationhood since independence have been challenged by civil strife, a civil war and much uprising and violent agitations,” he said.

“However, in spite of all these, the country has remained united and the resolve of the citizens for unity remains unshaken.

“The exploits of our armed forces to maintain peace as well as their disposition to the unity of Nigeria have contributed in no small measure to our stability.

“We must therefore celebrate them as the pride of our country. Our faith in our armed forces remains unshaken and as a government, we will do all within our powers to ensure that our armed forces are motivated to perform optimally.

“They have time and again demonstrated unparalleled patriotism, courage, loyalty and commitment as they grapple with the daunting challenges of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”

The president said the armed forces have effectively applied themselves to countering attempts by the country’s “enemies” to disturb the peace, adding that his government is not going to be satisfied until peace is restored to every part of the country.

He also described the emblem as a sign of the sacrifices of officers of the armed forces for peace and security in Nigeria.

“It is also a sign of our resolve to remain united as a nation and confront any challenges we may face. It is a sign of our resolve to say no to divisions and embrace one another as a united indivisible country,” he added.