President Jonathan urges Nigerians to pray for soldiers in war against Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to be steadfast in their prayers for members of the Armed Forces and their families for their sacrifices in the war on terrorism.

He made the call on Sunday in Abuja at an inter-denominational church service held at the National Christian Centre to mark the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The president said the Armed Forces and other security services deserved the prayers and commendations of Nigerians for laying down their lives to defend the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

He described members of the armed forces as “gallant people’’ working hard day and night with other security agencies to ensure that Nigerians sleep at night.

“Let me call on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the armed forces, their families and their wives because it is not easy to be wife of a soldier especially when he is posted to a state like Borno.

“We know what they are passing through; they need our prayers; we have to commend, encourage and support them,’’ he said.

The president noted that the security challenges facing the country could have been worse but for the gallantry and commitment of the armed forces in the fight against the insurgency.

While acknowledging the “inadequacies” in the military, the president restated the commitment of government to continue to kit and equip them to protect the citizens.

Mr. Jonathan pledged that his administration would continue to invest in the welfare of military personnel and their families through programmes like the recently launched “Victim Support Fund.”

(NAN)