By Sumaila Ogbaje
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima on
Thursday led the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, members of the Federal
Executive Council, National Assembly, service chiefs and diplomatic corps to
honour the nation’s fallen and living heroes.
The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja,
was the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and
Remembrance Day (AFCRD).
First to lay the wreath was the Vice President, followed by the Senate President,
Speaker House of Representatives, represented by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin
Kalu; and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
The wreath was also laid by the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher
Musa, and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, who is the High Commissioner of
Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima.
They were followed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede;
Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi
Abbaa; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and Inspector-General
of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Other dignitaries, who also performed the wreath-laying were the National
Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Henry and representative of military
widows, Mrs Cynthia Dusu.
There was also the firing of three volleys in honour of the fallen heroes which has
its origin in the old custom of halting fighting in the warfront to remove the dead
from the battlefield.
The Vice President, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the
ceremonial pigeons as a symbol of national peace and freedom.
The celebration started with a series of activities including the Jumma’at prayer on
Jan. 9 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on
Jan. 11.
This year’s celebration also featured other activities, such as social and award
evening for soldiers, ratings and airmen and Regimental Dinner and Award night
for officers organised by the Defence Headquarters, among other activities.
The Ministry of Defence Headquarters also held a symposium and lecture series on
Monday; Gala and Award Nite on Tuesday as well as medical outreach to military
veterans and their families on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration,
but now changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to create an
avenue to also celebrate and honour the serving personnel of the armed forces.
It is celebrated globally to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by citizens
for the cause of peace.
In Nigeria, Jan. 15 is set aside annually to honour the fallen heroes, who laid down
their lives in service to humanity during the First and Second World Wars, the
Nigerian Civil War, peace missions and various internal security operations.
The event is also used to honour veterans still alive and as a medium for soliciting
financial, moral and material support for the families of the fallen heroes.
