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President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, among others, laid wreaths at the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in honour of the Nigerian military personnel who died in the line of duty.
For the first time since assuming office, the President presided over the historic event at the National Arcade in Abuja, inspecting a Guard of Honour mounted by detachments of the Nigerian Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Nigerian Legion.
Afterward, Tinubu laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier as a mark of last respect to the fallen heroes who paid the supreme price to preserve the nation’s territorial integrity and peace globally.
Three volleys of 21-gun salute were fired at the event, followed by the signing of the Remembrance Day Anniversary register by the President, who released white pigeons to indicate the nation’s harmony.
Also laying wreaths were the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and the Minister of Defense, Abubakar Badaru, and his Minister of State, Bello Mattawale.
Others are the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, a member of the diplomatic corps, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion and a representative of the widows of the fallen heroes.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15 to honour the country’s military heroes, both living and deceased, who have served in World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and various peacekeeping missions.
The day marks the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970 and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces to maintain the country’s territorial integrity and peace. The highlight of the ceremony is the laying of wreaths at the National Cenotaph in Abuja, a solemn ritual performed by the President, top government officials, and military chiefs.
Speaking afterward, Senate President Akpabio said Monday’s wreath-laying ceremony is the administration’s way of identifying with those left behind by the fallen heroes. He promised to “do everything possible” to ensure their welfare.
“Today’s ceremony is to signify to all of them that they are not alone, that we also mourn with them and we continue to pray for God Almighty to console them and provide for the children and their siblings that they have left behind.
“Again, the presence of all of us is also a major significance that, indeed, the government of the day would never let them mourn alone and I will do everything possible to ensure that their welfare is taken care of and that this event reduces the calamities that we’re seeing in our country,” said Akpabio.
Echoing Akpabios’s commitment was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who said the national assembly would ensure the welfare of the surviving family members of the fallen.
