The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and Wreath-Laying Ceremony was held on Thursday at the National Arcade, Abuja, bringing together top government officials, military chiefs and members of the diplomatic community to honour Nigeria's fallen heroes. Vice President Kashim Shettima led the ceremony, attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa (retd), and other dignitaries. The officials were escorted in a solemn march by soldiers to the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid in memory of servicemen and women who lost their lives in defence of the nation.
Prayers were offered for both fallen and living heroes who fought for national unity and global peace. The interdenominational prayers were led by the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestants), Army, Colonel Rev. B. P. Nyam; the Director of Air Force Islamic Affairs, Group Captain H. Idris; and the Director of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Navy Captain Very Rev. Fr. R. C. Diala.
This was followed by a minute of silence and the firing of an artillery gun, after which the wreath-laying ceremony commenced at the Tomb fo the Unknown Soldier. Vice President Shettima laid the first wreath, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya.
Other wreaths were laid by Senate President Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Kalu, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa (retd), and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Abbas Salaheeden, High Commissioner of Cameroon. The service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police also participated in the ceremony.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is marked annually on January 15 to honour veterans of the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and fallen personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare, logistics and operational capacity of the military. The President, who spoke through the Minister of Defence at the Regimental Dinner Night held at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, described the Remembrance Day as more than a ceremonial event, saying it reflects “the very heartbeat of Nigeria’s military heritage.”
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, Tinubu said the occasion celebrates the courage, professionalism and resilience of serving personnel while honouring fallen heroes. He noted that Nigerian troops continue to confront complex security threats with dedication, adding that national peace and stability are products of their sacrifices.
“He reassured serving personnel of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to improving troops welfare, logistics support and operational capacity. The President also emphasized that the President remains resolute in ensuring that the Armed Forces are adequately equipped, motivated and supported to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General O. O. Oluyede, described the Regimental Dinner Night as one of the military’s most cherished traditions. He praised the gallantry of troops across various theatres of operation, acknowledged the crucial support of military families, and stressed the need for a whole-of-society approach to tackling terrorism and other security challenges.