By Olayemi Esan
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday held an Interdenominational service where personnel were rededicated to God with pledge to always magnify God in everything.
Speaking at a special thanksgiving which held at the Defence Headquarters Chapel, Abuja, the Chapel, Rev. Sub. Lieutenant Emmanuel Chilee urged both military personnel and civilian staff to re-dedicate their lives to God.
Rev. Chilee said the service was an annual event where the armed forces come together to celebrate and appreciate the almighty God for his goodness upon their lives.
“We appreciate God for all he has done for us as members of the Armed Forces, may all the glory and honor be unto him.“
Earlier in his sermon, Apostle Matson M Ekuniji said thanksgiving is a way of expressing openness to the person who gave the gift of life and a way of acknowledging graciousness.
In his word, the Special guest of Honour, Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Navy and Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Ishaku Abbo commended the military personnel for their sacrifices to the nation.
"My message to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a message of thanks to them. We know what they go through every single day of their lives. These men in uniform are our brothers, sisters, uncles, our sons. We know what they go through most especially this very difficult time of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping.
"They continue to sacrifice their lives for us, they abandoned their wives to sleep in the bush so that we can sleep with our wives on our bed, they gave up their comfort, so that, we can have comfort. They left their children so that we can play with our children", he said.
The lawmaker expressed Nigerians gratitude to them for all these sacrifices and admonished the fallen heroes' families to be strong and understand that, we shall meet at resurrection day.
Abbo added that they are not alone in their grief, saying Nigerians are with them.
Responding, the Chairperson thanksgiving Committee, Squadron Leader Anthonia Egbujiobi thanked Defence Headquarters Principal officers for supporting the Committee.
Present at the thanksgiving service were representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.Gen JO Oni Chief of Defence Logistics, representative of Chief of Air Staff, Air Cdre Bolarinwa, British High Commissioner, Mrs Catriona Laing, Senator Abbo Ishaku Chairman Senate Committee on Navy, Chairman Former NNPP Canddate Prince Ike Keke among others.
