Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, joined the rest of the nation to commemorate this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, instantly doling out N600million to families of security personnel who lost their lives in active service.
Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence, Directorate of Security Services, among others, were instantly handed over cheques totalling N600million to be distributed to families of their loved ones who died recently in active service as well as those who sustained injuries in the course of service to fatherland.
The ceremony which held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, saw the Governor paying glowing tribute to the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other security agencies whose sacrifices, he said, “continue to guarantee the unity, peace, and survival of the country.”
Speaking at the solemn ceremony, Governor Uzodimma described the day as one of deep reflection and national gratitude, noting that Nigerians owe an immeasurable debt to both the living and fallen heroes of the Armed Forces.
βAs we enter another day in the year, we pause to acknowledge a profound debt that can never be fully repaid. We gather to pay tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces – both living and dead – whose patriotism and sacrifice have secured our nation against external aggression and internal revolt,β he said.
Governor Uzodimma praised the courage, resilience, and devotion of Nigeriaβs military personnel, describing them as brave souls who place their lives on the line daily so that citizens can live and sleep in peace.
βThey keep watch while we sleep. They trade their comfort for our safety and their lives for our liberty,β he said, adding that “from the trenches of global conflicts through the Nigerian Civil War to present-day battles against terrorism and banditry, the military has remained the unbreakable spine of Nigeria.β
The governor commended Nigeriaβs founding fathers for designating January 15 annually to honour fallen heroes, describing it as a fitting recognition of selfless service.
He noted that the observance has now assumed a broader meaning following the official designation by Defence Headquarters as Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Dayβhonouring both the fallen and those still in active service.
βThis change is significant,β Uzodimma stressed.
βWhile we bow our heads in memory of the fallen, we also raise our hands in salute to the living heroes who continue to defend our territorial integrity,β he added.
He reaffirmed his administrationβs commitment to veteransβ welfare through the Nigerian Legion, assuring that families of fallen heroes would never be abandoned.
The Governor proceeded to announce the immediate disbursement of β¦600 million as financial support to families of servicemen and women who lost their lives while securing Imo State in recent years, as well as those injured in the line of duty.
βWe will not wait for tomorrow to show that we care. Today, right here on this ground, we are disbursing β¦600 million to the families of our fallen heroes as a token of our permanent gratitude,β he explained.
Uzodimma credited the relative peace currently enjoyed in Imo State to the synergy between his administration, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies.
He recalled the recent inauguration of 7,000 operatives of the Imo State Vigilance Services Organisation, designed to work in partnership with the military and sister security agencies.
βWhen the professional soldier and the community sentinel work together, crime has no hiding place,β Uzodimma said.
The Governor also expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “decisive actions in strengthening Nigeriaβs security architecture, including designating non-state armed groups as terrorists and enhancing international security cooperation.”
He described the day as personally symbolic, noting that January 15 also marks the anniversary of his swearing-in as Governor.
His words: βI am the only Governor in Nigeria whose inauguration anniversary coincides with this sacred day. I do not see it as a coincidence but as a divine call that ties the destiny of my administration to the mandate of securing lives and property.β
As Imo State moves into what he described as the seventh year of its shared prosperity mandate, the governor pledged continued support for security agencies through improved intelligence, logistics, and collaboration.
He urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces, respect men and women in uniform. βWhen you see a person in uniform, see a guardian, a brother or sister ready to lay down their life for you,β Uzodimma said, adding that, “their success is Nigeriaβs success.β
Finally, the Governor appealed to the youths of Imo State to participate in the enlistment processes for the security forces and the police.
“Do not allow the enemies of Nigeria to deceive you. If we fail to fill our quotas today, we will be the losers tomorrow. In 20 years, we must not cry of marginalisation, if we fail to enlist our best minds into the leadership of our security forces now. Let us be proactive, for Nigeria belongs to us all.”
He thanked the members of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Legion, and the widows of our fallen heroes, noting that “Nigeria is grateful to you and will never abandon you.”
The Remembrance Day celebration featured: Last Post (Firing Party); prayers by Military Chaplains and Imam; Laying of Wreaths by the Governor, Deputy Governor; Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Judge, Service Chiefs, Traditional Institutions, the State President of Legion and Chairperson of wives of the fallen heroes.
Other highlights were signing of Armed Forces Remembrance Day register and release of symbolic pigeons by the Governor.
In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, and other House of Assembly members, Acting Chief Judge Imo State, Justice Ijeoma Aguguo, Senators from Imo State, members of the House of Representatives and those from the State Assembly.
Others include members of the Judiciary, members of the State Expanded Executive Council, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former Deputy Governors- Prof Placid Njoku and Sir Jude Ejiogu, traditional rulers led by the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze EC Okeke, all Service Chiefs in Imo State, captains of industries and other stakeholders in the State.
