President Bola Tinubu on Thursday led 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.
The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja, was the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).
First to lay the wreath was Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, followed by the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, represented by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
The wreath was also laid by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, who is the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima.
They were followed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and Inspector-General of Police (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 in the warfront to remove the dead from the battlefield.
Shettima, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeons as a symbol of national peace and freedom.
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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, 2026.
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 symposium and lecture series on Monday, Gala and Award Nite on Tuesday, as well as medical outreach to military veterans and their families in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, but now changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is to celebrate and honour the 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.
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