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 to honour the nation’s fallen and living heroes.

The event, which involved laying wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja, marked the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

First to lay the wreath was the vice-president, followed by the Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives, represented by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.

The wreath was also laid by defence minister Christopher Musa, and the dean of the diplomatic corps, who is the high commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima.

They were followed by defence chief Olufemi Oluyede, army chief Waidi Shaibu, naval chief Idi Abbaa, air chief Sunday Aneke, and IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

Other dignitaries who also performed the wreath-laying were the national chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Henry, and the representative of military widows, 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 on 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 January 9 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on January 11.

This year’s celebration also featured other activities, such as a social and award evening for soldiers, ratings, and airmen, and a regimental dinner and award night for officers, organised by the Defence Headquarters, among others.

The Ministry of Defence Headquarters also held a symposium and lecture series on Monday, a gala and award night on Tuesday, and a medical outreach to military veterans and their families on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, has now been renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to create an avenue to also celebrate and honour 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, January 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. 

(NAN)