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• Shettima, Akpabio, others honour fallen heroes
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria commemorates the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration Day (AFRCD), President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to promote peace and togetherness in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes.
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.
President Tinubu, who is away in UAE attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, praised the valour of former service members who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and advance world peace in a post on his X page @officiaLABAT.
He emphasised the importance of the sombre event and reminded the populace of the sacrifices made to guarantee the safety and harmony of the nation.
“As we mark this solemn event, let us remember those who laid down their lives, and those who continue to do so, to guarantee our unity and peace.”
He called on Nigerians to refrain from acts of violence and division and to work together to create a successful and peaceful country.
“We must become ambassadors of peace, working together to create a future filled with hope and optimism.”
Tinubu reiterated the need for national solidarity. “Let us come together to ensure that the sacrifices of our heroes are not in vain. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima 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 at a solemn event which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja.
First to lay the wreath was Shittima, followed by the Akpabio, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
The wreath was also laid by Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, his Federal Capital Territory counterpart, Nyesome Wike, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
They were followed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa; Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Other dignitaries, who also performed the wreath-laying ceremony, were members of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian Legion and widows of late officers and soldiers represented by the Interim President, Military Widows Association (MIWA), Olubunmi Ese-Okiti.
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 January 10 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on January 12.
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 Defence Headquarters also held a lecture and art exhibition as well as display of some locally produced military wares in Abuja.
