Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s Armed Forces, describing their service as a sacred calling rooted in courage, discipline and sacrifice.
The governor spoke at the 2025 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Thanksgiving Service held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Sanwo-Olu said the event provided an opportunity for sober reflection and gratitude to God for preserving the nation.
He urged Nigerians to continually reflect on the unseen cost of peace and the importance of national unity.
“Today, we gather in the presence of God with hearts full of gratitude, humility and remembrance.
“This service is both a thanksgiving and a sacred pause, a moment to honour courage, to remember sacrifice and to acknowledge the unseen cost of peace,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the freedoms enjoyed daily by Nigerians were sustained by men and women who remain on constant guard in difficult and dangerous environments.
“Every day we wake up to normal routines, travel freely, worship openly and live without fear; someone somewhere is standing guard.
“Someone is watching the night so others can sleep,” he said.
The governor thanked God for preserving Nigeria and commended soldiers, sailors, airmen and officers for their unwavering commitment to national security.
According to him, their duty goes beyond a profession and reflects a calling anchored in discipline, courage and service.
“They operate in conditions many of us may never see, yet their sacrifice ensures our peace,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu also honoured fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, quoting John 15:13 to underscore the depth of their sacrifice.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for others. That truth lives in the legacy of our fallen heroes,” he said.
He extended condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging their pain and resilience, and pledged that the nation would continue to honour and support them.
The governor noted that Nigeria’s Armed Forces had continued to grow in professionalism, training and coordination, contributing not only to combat operations but also to disaster response, humanitarian support, protection of critical infrastructure and regional stability.
He stressed that remembrance should inspire unity among citizens, adding that peace and security thrive in a united nation.
“A nation divided weakens its defenders; a nation united strengthens its peace,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also urged religious institutions to sustain prayers for the country, its leaders and security personnel, stressing that a grateful nation must honour, learn from and support its veterans for life.
The thanksgiving service formed part of activities marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held to honour serving personnel, veterans and fallen heroes for their dedication to the defence of Nigeria.