'Not enough to remember armed forces, show empathy to families of fallen heroes' Bishop tells govt

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‘Not enough to remember armed forces, show empathy to families of fallen heroes’ Bishop tells govt

By Steve Oko

The Bishop of Umuahia Methodist Diocese, Arch Bishop Raphael Opoko, has told the federal government as well as other tiers of government that it was not enough to organize annual remembrance service for Armed Forces when the family members of fallen heroes were abandoned to their fate.

The cleric who threw the challenge on Sunday during a sermon at the Inter-denominational church service in honour of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Umuwaya Road Methodist Church Umuahia, decried the deplorable condition of the families of fallen heroes.

” It’s not enough to gather annually and to remember them (fallen heroes) when their entitlements take years to come”, the cleric thundered.

Continuing he said:” Even those involved in the civil war – whether they faught on the part of Nigeria or Biafra, we know they all sacrificed for the peace of this country”.

He called on government at all levels to begin to show empathy to the suffering families of fallen heroes and members of the Nigerian legion who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of father land instead of paying lip services to their plights.

Arch Bishop Opoko lamented the woes of members of the Armed Forces involved in the fight against insurgency in the Northern region, regretting that they are often faced with terrorists who are most often better equipped.

” The Armed Forces face terrorists and criminals sometimes armed with more sophisticated weapons”.

The cleric also challenged communities and public spirited individuals to “contribute and build houses for soldiers in appreciation of their sacrifices.

“We must all begin to value the lives of soldiers who stake their lives for the rest of us”, he added.

He therefore, encouraged service men and women never to be deterred by the challenges before them in the service of their father land, assuring them of the continued prayers of the church.

In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu lamented that the negligence of parents in instilling the right values into their children contributed in the stress of the Armed Forces.

He argued that the increase in moral decadents, drug trafficking, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality as a result of failure of parents in their roles, contributed in overstretching the Armed Forces.

Gov. Ikpeazu who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, pledged the continued support of Abia government for the Nigerian Legion.

In a good will message, Chairman of Abia StateTraditional Rulers Council, HRH, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, represented by HRH Eze Philip Ajomuiwe, expressed worry over the plights of Armed Forces involved in the war against terrorists and bandits in the North East.

He however encouragd them never to be demoralized, assuring them the support of royal fathers in the state.

The service was attended by service chiefs in the state including the Commander in charge of 14 Brigade Nigeria Army Ohafia, Brigadier Gen. Solomon Kumapayi, members of the Nigeria Legion, and top government functionaries.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.