Soludo Urges South-East Youths To Join Armed Forces, End Self-Marginalisation
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has called on youths in the South-East to end what he described as deliberate self-marginalisation by enlisting in the Nigerian Armed Forces and taking active roles in national institutions.
Soludo made the call in Awka during the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Reflecting on the 56th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian Civil War, the governor described the conflict as avoidable and said the spirit of “no victor, no vanquished” must continue to define Nigeria’s unity.
He said the event was organised to honour all Nigerians who lost their lives while serving the country, both during the civil war and in subsequent years.
“We are remembering not just members of our armed forces who died during that needless war, but all those who paid the supreme price afterwards,” he said. “This is the time we have set aside as a nation to remember and to say: never again.”
Soludo paid tribute to widows, widowers and families of fallen heroes, and commended serving military and security personnel, particularly those deployed in Anambra State, for their dedication to maintaining peace.
Addressing the South-East directly, the governor expressed concern over the low number of Anambra indigenes within Nigeria’s security architecture, describing it as self-inflicted exclusion from national decision-making and influence. He urged young people to see military service as a legitimate avenue to contribute to the country and secure their place within it.
“We must participate as co-owners of Project Nigeria,” he said, stressing that the civil war ended over five decades ago and that the region must fully reintegrate into all national structures.
On the prevailing insecurity in the region, Soludo appealed to those engaged in violent agitation to abandon such actions and embrace peace.
“The era of terror is over, and I call on our brothers in the bushes to come out,” he said. “We will help you to become useful citizens of the state. To Ndi Anambra and the rest of the South-East, this is the time to remind ourselves that the war has ended.”
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security commanders in Anambra State for their efforts, expressing confidence that the long-standing security challenges would soon be decisively addressed.
