15/01/2026
A HIGHER CAUSE
Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, January 15, 2026, at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Arcade, Umuahia
Protocols
1. January 15 holds a special significance in the annals of our history. It was on this day, 60 years ago, that the first military coup took place. It was a long, sad night for the country, one that left blood, tears and misery in its wake. The unfortunate events of January 15, 1966, effectively terminated Nigeria’s First Republic, forcing the country into a long run of military dictatorship along with the chaos and multiple mishaps that are inevitable when the barrels of the gun replace the will of the people in the order of ascent to national leadership. Many scholars and commentators have, with good reasons, attributed much of the malaise that continue to afflict our country till this day, to the terrible misadventures of that night on this date 60 years ago. It is a story many patriots would rather stay away from but it is also one ugly event whose sores we cannot lightly dismiss. If, however, there are lessons to be learnt from the tragedies of that ugly night, they would be the dangers of simplistic assumptions, the errors of single narratives, the long-term regrets of damaging trust in institutions and the perils of recklessness.
2. January 15 is also remarkable as the day the Nigeria Civil War came to an end, drawing the curtain on a long season of carnage and destruction. It was on this day in 1970 that we all came back together in a collective determination to put the miseries of the past behind us. It has been a long and difficult journey with multiple setbacks but without forgetting where we are coming from, it has to be acknowledged that our continuing optimism and devotion to the task of nation-building represent, in the ideal sense of it, the triumph of faith over cynicism. Our healing from the wounds of the past may not have been completed but there is no dispute that in the intervening years since 1970, we have made slow but steady progress in the efforts to redefine the true essence of Nigeria, beyond the base experiences of tribal and religious distortions.
3. The Nigerian Armed Forces best represent the practical ideals of our dream country and this morning, we have gathered to celebrate the one institution that has not only played a major role in keeping us together, but has remarkably evolved from the learning of its early days into a stable force driving the preservation of our democratic structures in addition to its foundational responsibility of protecting the territorial integrity of our nation. Today, we have gathered in a solemn ceremony to remember the officers and men who gave their lives that a nation founded on common aspirations like ours may outlive its imperfections and contradictions. This event, the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, offers us a special opportunity to express our collective gratitude to the compatriots who have chosen to serve our nation in uniform — the men and women for whom the fear of death means nothing — if it serves a higher purpose. What we are doing today is essentially a tribute to courage and the collective body of ethos that makes our armed forces truly remarkable. This special ceremony presents us the privilege to honour the memories of family members, friends and colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice and then celebrate those whose courage and sacrifices keep the fabrics of our sovereignty undivided.
4. The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day invites all of us to look beyond the many shortcomings of our nation but rise instead in unison to rededicate ourselves to the ideals for which our compatriots lived and died. We cannot build a great nation by endlessly whining and lamenting but by doing everything within our powers as citizens and leaders in different fields of human aspirations to inspire the change that we seek along different frontlines of national existence. While the virtues of chivalry and honour, temperance and fortitude are traditionally attached to military endeavours, it is also true that these values can be adopted by everyday people seeking to live with honour and in devotion to community. We are, therefore, encouraged to learn to be as courageous as our compatriots who have chosen the path of military service and to live by the principles that support character building, provides ethical compass in decision-making and confers legitimacy on institutions.
5. In Abia, we are grateful to members of the armed forces for their enduring commitment to peace and security in our communities. Abia has moved quickly from the anxiety of the last few years to assume a new identity as one of the safest destinations to live in and travel to. This could not have happened without the commitment of our partners in the various security establishments. I would like to specially commend the leadership of the different security agencies in the State for their unyielding resolve to the safety of lives and property in the urban and rural centres. The exceptional courage you bring to the discharge of your duties has not only improved the social and economic realities of our people, it has led to the reactivation of resources that were hitherto dormant, especially agricultural lands. May I assure you, even as I bring you the collective gratitude of Ndi Abia, that the State Government shall continue to provide every necessary support you require as you work to maintain law and order in our communities. I would also like to, on this remarkable day, pay my respect to the gallant personnel who lost their lives in active duty in the State in the last year. United in the grief of their passing but thankful for their faithful devotion, we shall continue to pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of Lance Corporals Aminu Sani, Muazu Abdullahi, George Sylvanus and OSED Baba. We have since made a commitment to provide for the welfare of the spouses and children of the deceased personnel — offering channels of sustenance to the adults and then scholarships for the children to continue their education up to tertiary level. Note that we have also extended the same package to other families of fallen officers in the police and other security agencies who lost their lives in the last one year.
6. Let me conclude by reminding us that this nation has come a long way in the last 6 decades. Our duty as citizens in the new age is to be mindful of our actions and utterances, refusing to be misled by ethno-religious operatives who revel in extremism and intolerance. Violence, it has to be noted, should have no place in our society. At all times, we must consider it more prudent to place diplomacy and tact above actions and rhetorics that are inimical to national unity and peaceful co-existence. While disagreements are inevitable in every human interaction, what would set us apart in the long run is the willingness to come to the table and engage with each other as members of the same national family, respecting one another and appreciating that what unites us is stronger than the appearances of division in our interactions and exchanges. Guided by the lessons of history, may we live together in harmony as one nation bound in justice, freedom and fairness to all.
7. Thank you for listening and may God bless all of you.
