By Vincent Ujumadu
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has called on youths in the South-East to end what he described as self-marginalisation by enlisting in the Nigerian Armed Forces and embracing their roles as “co-owners” of the Nigerian project.
The governor made the call during the wreath-laying ceremony marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day held in Awka.
Reflecting on the 56th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Soludo said the “no victor, no vanquished” philosophy must continue to guide the nation, describing the three-year conflict as needless.
According to him, the ceremony was a solemn tribute to all those who paid the supreme price in the service of the country.
“We are remembering not just members of our armed forces who died during that needless war, but all those who paid the supreme price afterwards,” the governor said. “This is the time we have set aside as a nation to remember and to say: never again.”
He paid special tribute to widows, widowers and families of fallen heroes, while also commending officers currently in active service—particularly those deployed in Anambra State—for their commitment to maintaining peace and security.
Addressing the people of the South-East, Governor Soludo expressed concern over the low level of enlistment of Anambra indigenes in Nigeria’s security architecture, describing the situation as a form of self-marginalisation.
He urged young people to view military service as a platform for national contribution and a means of securing their stake in the country.
“We must participate as co-owners of Project Nigeria,” he said, stressing that the civil war ended more than five decades ago and that the region must fully reintegrate into all national institutions.
Speaking on the prevailing security challenges in the region, the governor appealed to those involved in violent agitation to abandon such activities.
“The era of terror is over, and I call on our brothers in the bushes to come out,” he said. “We will help you to become useful citizens of the state. To Ndi Anambra and the rest of the South-East, this is the time to remind ourselves that the war has ended.”
Soludo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the various service commanders in Anambra State for their efforts, noting that the security challenge had persisted for a long time.
He expressed confidence that the current wave of insecurity would be decisively addressed in the near future.
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