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Tag: Remembrance Day

  • Tinubu leads Nigerians to observe 2026 Armed Forces Celebration, Remembrance Day

    Tinubu leads Nigerians to observe 2026 Armed Forces Celebration, Remembrance Day

    …reaffirms commitment to welfare, dignity of Armed Forces

    …as Shettima represents President at Abuja ceremony

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday led Nigerians to observe the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD), honouring officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.

    The President was represented at the national ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led dignitaries to lay wreaths at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier at the National Arcade.

    In his message to mark the day, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of the Armed Forces, assuring serving personnel that Nigeria stands firmly behind those who defend its sovereignty. 

    The message was posted on the President’s verified X handle, @officialABAT.

    “As President and Commander in Chief, I reaffirm my commitment to the welfare and dignity of our Armed Forces. A secure Nigeria stands behind those who defend it. We will continue to support them in action,” the President said.

    The President noted that the annual commemoration provided an opportunity for the nation to pause and honour the memory of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who paid the ultimate price in the service of the country.

    “We remember the brave men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces who sacrificed everything for our country. Their names might not always be remembered, but their courage sustains our freedom and peace,” he said, adding that a nation that forgets its fallen heroes risks losing its sense of direction.

    President Tinubu also paid tribute to the families of fallen service members, acknowledging the deep pain borne by widows, children and loved ones left behind.

    “Your loss is profound, and no words can replace the sacrifices of your loved ones. They served Nigeria with honour, and our people will never forget their sacrifices,” he said.

    While honouring the fallen, the President celebrated serving personnel across all formations, commending their discipline, courage and professionalism in protecting lives and property on land, sea and air, often at great personal cost and far from home.

    “From the frontlines to support positions, you carry the heavy responsibility of protecting our people and sovereignty,” Tinubu said.

    Read Also: Tinubu, top officials honour fallen heroes, serving troops at Remembrance Day

    The AFCRD, organised annually by the Ministry of Defence, honours personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace support operations and internal security engagements, including the ongoing fight against terrorism and other threats to national stability. 

    Beyond remembrance, the event also celebrates living veterans and mobilises support for the welfare of wounded service members and the families of fallen heroes.

    Although Nigeria once observed Remembrance Day on November 11 in line with Commonwealth tradition, January 15 is now marked to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and to align the remembrance with national realities.

    This year’s ceremony took place amid reports of operational gains by the Armed Forces in the North-East and other parts of the country, underscoring the courage and professionalism of troops confronting Nigeria’s security challenges.

    At the ceremony, Vice President Shettima was joined by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; alongside the Service Chiefs, senior military officers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Morenike Henry.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was unavailable, while the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, represented the territory and joined other dignitaries in the wreath-laying.

    Highlights of the 2026 AFCRD included artillery gun salutes, the firing of volleys, a minute of silence in honour of the fallen and the symbolic release of pigeons to signify peace and national unity.

    President Tinubu concluded his message with prayers for the repose of the souls of the fallen, renewed strength for the Armed Forces and God’s continued blessings on Nigeria.

  • Tinubu, top officials honour fallen heroes, serving troops at Remembrance Day

    Tinubu, top officials honour fallen heroes, serving troops at Remembrance Day

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday led other top government officials to honour fallen and serving members of the Nigerian military at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) ceremony in Abuja.

    The AFCRD is celebrated every January 15 to commemorate the sacrifices of both living and dead, both in foreign missions and internal security operations.

    As in previous years, the 2026 AFCRD began with the submission of the parade state by the parade commander.

    This was followed by inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya.

    A firing party thereafter led dignitaries to the cenotaph for the laying of wreaths. The Last Post was sounded in honour of fallen heroes as all present stood in respect.

    Special prayers were later offered by an imam and a chaplain for the repose of the souls of the departed and the protection of serving personnel. This was followed by a minute of silence in honour of the fallen soldiers.

    The dignitaries laid the wreath at about 10:35 a.m., at the cenotaph, beginning with the Vice President, followed by the Senate President, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) , Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and High Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, led the service chiefs to lay the wreath at the cenotaph. The CDS was followed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other officials.

    Three volleys were fired by the firing party after the wreath-laying, and the Vice President thereafter signed the anniversary register and released pigeons to mark the occasion.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Minister of Defence; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd); the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police; Kayode Egbetokun, the Senate President; Godswill Akapbio; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; and members of the diplomatic corps, led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima.

    Read Also: Make Armed Forces Remembrance Day public holiday

    Speaking to journalists after the event, the Minister of Defence, General Musa (retd) emphasized the significance of honouring Nigeria’s fallen soldiers, wounded personnel, serving officers and their families, noting that the country owes them continued appreciation and support.

    “It is always important to appreciate those who have made sacrifices — those who lost their lives, their family members, those who were injured, and those who are still serving,” the Minister said.

    “It is a comprehensive effort we undertake together to appreciate them and encourage them by reminding them that Nigerians face challenges, Nigerians love them, Nigerians are praying for them, and that we need to support them.

    “If you recall, even the name has been changed. It is no longer only the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Now, we have a week-long programme of activities.

    “It is now the Armed Forces Celebration, where we celebrate those who are alive and remember those who have passed on. I think that is very comprehensive.”