The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged residents of the state to take actions that will promote peace, unity and protect the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.
Otti, who gave the charge on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Umuahia, the state capital, advised residents to be mindful of their actions, adding that citizens should refuse to be misled by religious operatives who promote extremism and intolerance.
The governor insisted that violence should have no place in the state and the country at large, adding that citizens should learn lessons from history, particularly the 1966 coup and the civil war.
Otti commended the leadership of the various security agencies in the state for their unyielding resolve to ensure the safety of lives and property in the urban and rural centres of the state.
He disclosed that the exceptional courage they bring to the discharge of their duties has improved the social and economic realities of Abia residents and led to the reactivation of resources that were hitherto dormant, especially agricultural lands, adding that the state government would continue to provide every necessary support required to maintain law and order across the state.
The Abia chief executive also paid tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in active duty in the state within the last one year.
He revealed that the state government had made a commitment to provide for the welfare of the spouses and children of the deceased personnel, offering channels of sustenance to the adults and scholarships for the children to continue their education up to tertiary level.
He said, “At all times, we must consider it more prudent to place diplomacy and tolerance above actions and rhetoric that are inimical to national unity and peaceful coexistence.
“While disagreements are inevitable in every human interaction, what will set us apart in the long run is the willingness to come to the table and engage with each other as members of the same national family, respecting one another and appreciating that what unites us is stronger than the appearance of division in our interactions and exchanges.
“Let us be guided by the lessons of history so that we may live together in harmony as one nation, bound in justice, freedom and fairness to all.
“In Abia, we are grateful to members of the Armed Forces for their enduring commitment to peace and security in our communities.
“Abia has moved quickly from the anxiety of the last few years to assume a new identity as one of the safest destinations to live and travel to. This could not have happened without the commitment of our partners in the various security establishments.”
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