By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which symbolises the end of Nigeria’s civil war and honours officers and men who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation, was observed on Thursday at the National Arcade, Abuja, with a wreath-laying ceremony attended by top government officials and military chiefs.
Activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day culminated with the solemn event, during which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Special Guest of Honour, was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, as the President is currently on an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Acting on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Vice President Shettima laid the first wreath in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes and heroines. He was followed by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also laid a wreath, alongside the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmood, and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Salahuddin Ibrahim.
Also paying their respects were the Service Chiefs — Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke — as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Morenike Henry, and Mrs Cynthia Sha, representing widows of fallen heroes, later laid wreaths on behalf of veterans and families of deceased service personnel.
The ceremony featured Christian and Islamic prayers for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes, comfort for their families, and peace and progress for Nigeria. A special gun salute and the ceremonial firing of three volleys were also conducted in honour of those who died in service to the nation.
At the end of the ceremony, Vice President Shettima released white pigeons, symbolising hope, peace and freedom for Nigeria.
Earlier, the Vice President arrived at the venue at about 10:00 a.m., dressed in a white native attire, took the national salute and inspected a parade comprising officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigerian Legion, following the rendition of the national anthem.
Observed annually on January 15, Armed Forces Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the Nigerian civil war on January 15, 1970, and provides an opportunity for the nation to honour serving and retired military personnel, as well as the families of fallen heroes.
Activities marking the 2026 celebration began on December 2, 2025, with the launch of the remembrance emblem by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This was followed by a Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque on January 9, 2026, and an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre on January 11, 2026, all held in honour of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.
