President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday led Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, service chiefs, and the diplomatic corps in paying tribute to Nigeria’s fallen and living heroes.
The ceremony, which included a wreath-laying at the National Arcade in Abuja, marked the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Vice President Shettima was the first to lay a wreath, followed by the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu), and Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kerere-Ekun. Defence Minister Christopher Musa and the dean of the diplomatic corps, Cameroon’s High Commissioner Salaheddine Ibrahima, also participated, along with the Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, Army Chief Waidi Shaibu, Naval Chief Idi Abbaa, Air Chief Sunday Aneke, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Other dignitaries included Grace Henry, National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, and Cynthia Dusu, representing military widows. The ceremony featured the firing of three volleys in honour of the fallen, a tradition originating from the battlefield custom of pausing combat to recover the dead. Vice President Shettima also signed the anniversary register and released ceremonial pigeons, symbolising national peace and freedom.
The celebration, formerly known as Armed Forces Remembrance Day, included a series of pre-event activities: the Jumma’at prayer on January 9 at the National Mosque, an Interdenominational Christian service on January 11, a social and award evening for soldiers, ratings, and airmen, a regimental dinner for officers, a symposium and lecture series, a gala and award night, and a medical outreach to military veterans and their families in Abuja.
Renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, the event not only honours fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations, but also celebrates serving personnel and solicits support for the families of those who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
NAN
