AUDA-NEPAD wants retired and serving security officers celebrated

African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa Development/African Peer Review Mechanism (AUDA-NEPAD/APRM) Nigeria has called on Nigerians to celebrate retired and serving personnel from the armed forces and other agencies of security adopting a non-violence approach for Nigerians individual or collective points of view.

In a statement signed by AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria Media Assistant Abolade Ogundimu, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria National Coordinator/CEO, Princess Gloria Akobundu made this appeal in a goodwill message commemorating the 2023 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which was celebrated on Sunday, in honor of the fallen heroes of Nigeria.

According to Akobundu, “It will be remembered that the nation honors fallen heroes every January 15, since the end of the civil war in 1970, there is also a need for the public to unite with the government to ensure internal crisis is averted for that the armed forces will not have to lose personnel while they face the challenges.

“We salute the courage of our fallen heroes, but let us resolve to always find non-violent options as we pursue our individual or collective views for social development.

This will go a long way in ensuring that our security forces and society do not lose human and non-human resources to violence.

“As the 2023 general election fast approaches, we urge the general public and other stakeholders to join us in our campaign for violence-free elections this year and beyond. Since the Electoral Law, it has been further strengthened to give voters and candidates confidence. May all participate peacefully in the electoral process.

“Let the public join AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and other government agencies in ensuring that violence is prevented before, during and after the upcoming elections, as well as other programs and activities in the country,” he said.

He praised the state security apparatus for their sacrifices and patriotism in keeping the nation safe, urging them to continue to be professional and law-abiding in carrying out their duties.

The head of AUDA-NEPAD/APRM further said that in fulfillment of its mandate to deepen democracy and good governance, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria conducts awareness-raising activities on violence-free elections before, during and after each election in the country.

The agency started the process last year through interactions with the media and grassroots groups for a successful general election in 2023.