Governor Mbah Reaffirms Support for Armed Forces, Calls for Unity and Lessons from Nigeria’s History
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue partnering with the Federal Government to support members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, as well as fallen heroes and their families. The governor also called on Nigerians to reflect on the painful lessons from the country’s history of internal conflict and division, stressing that peace and security must be deliberately preserved through unity, dialogue, and collective responsibility.
Governor Mbah made these remarks on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Wreath-Laying Ceremony held at Okpara Square, Enugu. He described January 15 as a solemn national occasion that demands deep reflection on the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s servicemen and women to ensure the safety and stability of the country.
According to the governor, remembrance should not be limited to annual rituals, but must translate into concrete actions that improve the welfare of serving personnel and the families of fallen heroes. He emphasised that his administration’s support for the Armed Forces extends beyond ceremonial events to practical care, advocacy, and sustained collaboration with the Federal Government.
“As a state government, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and their families. This support goes beyond ceremony. It is reflected in practical care, in advocacy, and in partnership with the Federal Government to ensure that those who serve, and those who have served, are treated with respect and care,” Mbah said.
He further noted that Armed Forces Remembrance Day is also an opportunity to honour families who continue to bear the emotional burden of loss. According to him, the sacrifices made by fallen soldiers are carried not only on the battlefield but within homes and families for a lifetime.
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“When a soldier falls, the loss does not end at the battlefield. It enters homes. It settles into families. It is borne in the human heart and becomes part of daily life for those left behind,” the governor stated.
Mbah acknowledged the long-term impact of grief on spouses, parents, siblings, and children, stressing that society has a responsibility to share that burden. He said caring for the families of fallen heroes is an essential part of honouring the nation’s military sacrifices.
“To remember the fallen is also to care for the living. To honour the cost of human life is to ensure that families are supported with consistency and compassion,” he added.
Beyond remembrance, the governor urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the country’s history, particularly the Civil War of the late 1960s and subsequent internal conflicts. He warned that peace and progress are never guaranteed and must be actively protected.
“Our history carries the scars of division. From the Civil War to later internal conflicts, we have learned at great human cost what happens when unity fractures,” Mbah said, adding that restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility remain essential to national cohesion and security.
Speaking after the event, the President of the Military Widows Association of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Mrs. Sarah Charles Ugwuabonyi, commended Governor Mbah for his concern for the welfare of military widows and their families. She, however, appealed for additional support in the form of employment opportunities and skills acquisition programmes to help widows become more economically self-reliant.
The ceremony featured several symbolic activities, including the inspection of a guard of honour by Governor Mbah, the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier, and the release of pigeons to symbolise peace. Other dignitaries who laid wreaths included representatives of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, State Security Service, traditional rulers, and military widows.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh; and several security chiefs and traditional leaders.