The Ilesa East Local Government today commemorated the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day with the launching of the official emblem, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, and a parade in honour of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.
The event, held at the Ilesa East local government Secretariat, Iyemogun, Ilesa, Osun state, was led by the Executive Chairman of Ilesa East Local Government, Hon. Lanre Balogun, and attended by councillors, the Leader of the Council, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Chief of Staff, Supervisors, Special Advisers, Executive Assistants, party leaders, traditional rulers, market leaders (Babalojas and Iyalojas), supervisory councillors, cabinet members, Divisional Police Officer, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Nigeria Security Division Security Services (DSS), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and officers and members of the Nigerian Legion.
In his address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ilesa East Area Council, Comrade Sikiru Oriadetu, thanked God for sparing the lives of legion members to witness the 2026 celebration. He described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Appeal Week as a period set aside to honour Nigerian soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and peacekeeping and combat operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Darfur, and the fight against Boko Haram.
Oriadetu paid tribute to the fallen heroes, noting that many died on the battlefield without bidding farewell to their families, while others survived with permanent injuries and hardships. He called on government authorities to consider deploying able members of the Nigerian Legion for security duties within the local government and appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependents.
He also expressed appreciation to the Ilesa East Local Government administration for its donations and support to the Legion in 2025, praying for continued success and longevity for the council leadership. A minute of silence was observed in honour of departed soldiers.
Delivering his remarks, Hon. Lanre Balogun said the annual remembrance ceremony was a moral obligation to recognise the supreme sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed the need to remember the widows, children, and families left behind by fallen soldiers, describing the celebration as a morale booster for serving personnel.
The chairman commended the people of Ilesa East for their commitment to peace and development, noting that no society can progress without peace. He also acknowledged the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for ongoing security measures to tackle banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, and other security challenges.
Balogun further urged eligible voters to ensure their voter cards are activated ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to providing infrastructure and youth empowerment programmes across all parts of the local government.
The event featured Christian and Islamic prayers led by Pastor Dare Olasore and Alhaji Bakare respectively, followed by a parade, inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Executive Chairman, and the laying of wreaths to conclude the ceremony.
PHOTOS: (Coverage Script ✍️ Camera 📸 Credit: Oladimeji Lasore, [email protected]
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