By Our Reporter
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerians to always support widows of the nation’s fallen heroes, charging the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to also ensure that the widows were incorporated in their numerous empowerment programmes.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Friday after a dedicated Jumaat Service held in commemoration of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the service by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said supporting the widows of fallen heroes in any form is a meaningful way of appreciating the supreme sacrifice made by officers who laid down their lives in the defense of the nation.
This was just as the governor noted that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day provided an opportunity to pray for the souls of fallen heroes, for the safety of those currently serving in various military operations across the country, and for the well-being of their families.
"The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day at provides an opportunity to pray for the souls of fallen heroes, for the safety of those currently serving in various military operations across the country, and for the well-being of their families," he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while highlighting the commitment of the state government to the welfare of military families, noted that the state maintained regular engagements with widows of fallen heroes, disclosing that the government had embarked on the renovation of military barracks and other initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions and overall welfare of military personnel and their families.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu decried the tendency to associate terrorism with religion, particularly Islam, stressing that many Muslims were law-abiding citizens who contributed positively to society and the growth of the nation.
The governor urged Muslim leaders and faithful to consistently project positive narratives and values.
The governor, while noting that terrorist activities often received widespread attention, said the sacrifices and successes of the military in combating these threats were sometimes underreported, calling for greater recognition of their efforts.
As part of long-term solutions to the nation’s challenges, Governor Sanwo-Olu charged parents to pay closer attention to the upbringing and moral training of their children.
He emphasised the importance of raising children with strong moral and godly values, noting that the family remained the foundational unit of society.
He concluded by stressing that proper home training plays a critical role in shaping responsible citizens and ultimately determines the kind of society and nation Nigeria becomes.
In his goodwill message, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, represented by Brigadier General I. B. Sheriff, urged Nigerians to continue praying for and cooperating with the Armed Forces as they carried out their mandate of protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
"Today’s Jumu’ah prayer marks the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026. The essence of this occasion is to honour our Armed Forces, pray for our fallen heroes, and remember all serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
"As we are all aware, Nigeria is faced with numerous security challenges across the geopolitical zones, and it is the Armed Forces who stand on the front lines to protect us. This sacrifice is the reason we are able to sleep peacefully in our homes," General Mijinyawa said.
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and residents for their continued support of the Armed Forces in the state, urging them to sustain their prayers and cooperation with security personnel as they remained committed to safeguarding lives and property across Lagos State.
Earlier in his admonition, the Chief Imam of Lagos Secretariat Community Mosques, Dr. Saheed Ahmad, stated that the security of the country is a collective one that rests on every citizen, emphasising that addressing communal security challenges is not limited to men and women in uniform, but the duty of all.
"Indeed, if each and every one of us takes it upon ourselves to act, speak, behave, and interact with our fellow countrymen in a safe and responsible manner, each such individual becomes one less problem for the security agencies to worry about.
"For every God-fearing and law-abiding citizen, there is one less potential criminal for the police to contend with. Likewise, for every responsible citizen who carries out their work, faith, and other endeavours in a safe and secure manner, there is one less area of concern for authorities in protecting lives and property," the Imam stated.
According to him, when citizens cultivate a sound inner life guided by the fear of God, self-control, and respect for human life, it reflects in their actions within society, explaining that a peaceful and secure nation can only be built when individuals first achieve peace within themselves, as inner values ultimately shape outward conduct and collective harmony.
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