Armed Forces Day: My father’s service as a soldier made me join politics – Akpabio

By Musa Baba Adamu

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said he was encouraged to join politics by his father’s sacrifice as a military man.

Senator Akpabio stated this yesterday during an Interdenominational Church service for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Christian Centre.

While underscoring the need to honour sacrifices made by the armed forces, Senate Akpabio said it was an honor to stand in the gathering of the faithful, united in shared commitment to remember and pray for and honor the courageous men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He said:  “Today we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom, unity and sovereignty. We salute the gallant men and women who continue to carry the torch of peace and security for our nation. Their dedication to service inspires us all.”

He said the sacrifices of the  Armed Forces were not just myths and fable, adding that they were deeply personal to many Nigerians including  himself.

“My father, Chief Obot Akpabio, was among those who served valiantly in World War II. He fought, alongside brave men from across the globe, for freedom and justice at a time of great peril.

“He returned home not just with the scars of war but with a profound commitment to peace, unity, and service. What my father fought for as a soldier (even though he died when I was a mere six months old) is what spurred me into politics, and constitutes my core values.”

Saying that the sacrifices of the soldiers were not just for the present, he added that they also inspire the generations after them.

“They are the foundation upon which we must build a nation worthy of their courage. Today, as I reflect on my father’s service and that of countless others, I am reminded of our solemn duty to honor their legacy by fostering unity, advancing peace, and ensuring the welfare of every Nigerian.”

He said while Nigeria was a tapestry of over 500 languages, diverse traditions, and  various faiths,  its strength lies in the unity of the differences and in its diversity.

“My father’s generation fought in World War II alongside people from different races, religions, and backgrounds and came away with the understanding that unity in the face of diversity is not just possible-it is mandatory.

“This same spirit lives on in the Nigerian Armed Forces today. They defend our nation with courage, often sacrificing their lives so that we may live in peace. Yet, we know their sacrifices do not end on the battlefield. Their families—wives, husbands, children—bear the pain of their absence. We owe it to these families, and to their loved ones, to build a nation where peace, justice, and opportunity prevail.

“The blood of our heroes is the seed of our unity and progress. Just as the blood of the martyrs became the seed of Christianity, so too does the sacrifice of our Armed Forces strengthen the bond of our national identity.

“Their sacrifices call us to action: to lay aside our divisions and work together for the common good. This administration is committed to supporting the families of our fallen heroes and addressing the challenges faced by our veterans. Welfare programs are being strengthened, and new policies will ensure that no family feels forgotten.”

He said the unity and progress of the nation required the active participation of all citizens, adding that work of nation-building was not for the government alone as it required every one to rise above divisions and embrace a shared vision for Nigeria’s greatness.

“As we face the challenges of insurgency, climate change, and economic hardship, let us approach these obstacles with the same determination captured in Winston Churchill’s famous line in the thick of that World War 2, “We will never surrender.”

That attitude brought my father’s generation through war and into peace. The Church and all religious institutions must lead the charge in spreading messages of love, tolerance, and unity. By fostering these values, we can blur the lines of division and create a Nigeria that thrives in its diversity. We can build a Nigeria that will never surrender to insecurity, avarice, tribalism, and corruption.”