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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated at the weekend that the Federal Government and indeed Nigeria, has learnt valuable lessons from the ongoing fight against Boko Haram and other forms of insurgency.
Osinbajo stated this on Sunday at the interdenominational church service held at the National Christian Center, Abuja, as part of the activities to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
According to him, the country has learnt that freedom and peace is not free and is often paid for with blood.
His words: “But in all these battles, we have been sharply reminded that indeed freedom is not free
“That peace is often paid for with blood and gore. And that no nation can secure its territory without the selflessness and the supreme sacrifices of many. And truly as someone said, Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
He said it is important to ensure the country is safe and peaceful so that the death of the military men who fought for her peace and freedom will not be in vain.
The Vice President also stated that the efforts of the valiant men and women of the Armed Forces have destroyed the backbone of Boko Haram who once reigned supreme with impunity and hoisted their flags in some local governments in the North-East.
“Today, both Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa operate as small even if deadly guerrilla bands in parts of Borno State,” he said.
He commended men and officers of the military for the sacrifices they have made in keeping the country safe and united saying “so as we celebrate this Remembrance Day, we solemnly thank the Almighty God for giving us men and women ready to obey the call to fight and, if need be, die for the fatherland.
“We are grateful that they were faithful to the cause, that they did not betray the trust of millions, that they gave up all the comforts of life and the love and affection of family that we may enjoy the same.
“Our unity and peaceful coexistence is the best tribute to our fallen heroes”.
Osinbajo said the Federal Government will not allow any group to endanger the hard earned unity of the country.
“The unity and territorial integrity of the nation for which they died must not be jeopardized by the reckless utterances and actions which play on the religious and ethnic fault lines of our nation,” he added.