Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians to be agents of peace and justice to complement efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in keeping Nigeria safe, united against bandits and terrorists ravaging the country.

“All of us have a duty to take a stand and challenge these evils wherever they rear their heads, to prevent them from becoming rooted and breed conflicts,” the vice president insisted. “This is how we will ensure that the labours of our heroes will never be in vain.”

Mr Osinbajo, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the call at the inter-denominational church service to mark the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Sunday in Abuja.

“The only way to truly repay those that pay the supreme sacrifice or price in service of the rest of us is to commit ourselves to living for the ends for which they have given their lives,” said Mr Osinbajo.

He noted that the patriotic commitment of the gallant men and women of the armed forces was woven into the fabric of the common destiny of a country populated by people of diverse faith and ethnicity.

The vice president said the diversity was reflected within the military, where people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds were united by their nationality with that desire to serve their country.

He noted that the durability of Nigeria’s unity from the civil war to the current struggle against terrorists and insurgents had been made largely possible by the dedication to duty of the men and women of the armed forces, often at great cost to themselves.

“It is for the rest of us to live in accordance with our highest values as a people and ensure that we all become agents of peace and justice,” added Mr Osinbajo. “Long before wars break out, violence manifests itself as hatred, prejudice, injustice and bigotry.”

The vice president pointed out that all citizens had a part to play in supporting the soldiers at the front line of the struggle for the nation’s soul.

(NAN)