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 Remembrance Day is held every January 15 to celebrate the sacrifices of both living and deceased military personnel, who served in both foreign missions and internal security operations.
The event began with the parade by the parade commander, after which Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the president, inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya.
A firing party then 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.
At about 10:35 a.m., wreaths were laid at the cenotaph, beginning with the vice president, followed by the president of the Senate, the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Dean of Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibas Abbas, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and other officials.
Three volleys were fired by the firing party after the wreath-laying.
The president, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released pigeons to mark the occasion.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Senate President, Godswill Akapbio; the Deputy Speaker of the House, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen.
Speaking to journalists after the event, General Musa reaffirmed the importance of honouring the country’s fallen soldiers, wounded personnel, serving officers and their families, noting that the nation owes them continued appreciation and support.
The minister said: “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. It is a comprehensive effort we undertake together to appreciate them and encourage them by reminding them that despite the fact 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.”
This came just as the Nigerian Legion pledged to work with the Federal Government to establish affordable housing estates for military veterans as part of efforts to ensure smooth and dignified transition from active service to retirement.
National chairman of the Legion, Ms Grace Henry, made the promise while speaking with newsmen during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Henry said the housing initiative was aimed at ensuring that no retired service personnel was left without a home after years of dedicated service to the nation.
“We do not want our people to retire and have nowhere to go, she said: “We are creating a new Legion framework where veterans, widows and their families can have a place to live and a sense of belonging,”
The legion chairman said welfare conditions for veterans and widows had improved in recent months, noting that pension payments were now more regular, leading to a significant reduction in street protests by retired personnel.
“For the past six months, we have not had our members on the streets. Pensions are now being paid as and when due, and this has brought relief to widows and veterans,” he added.
Henry described the Remembrance Day as a comprehensive initiative that honours fallen heroes, while also celebrating serving and retired personnel.
She said the expansion of the former Armed Forces Remembrance Day into a week-long celebration had helped to deepen public awareness of the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the need for sustained support for their families