President Bola Tinubu on Thursday led different prime authorities officers to honour fallen and dwelling troopers on the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony in Abuja.
The occasion started with the submission of the parade state by the parade commander, after which the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig. Gen. Adebisi Onasanya.
A firing get together then led dignitaries to the cenotaph for the laying of wreaths.
The Final Submit was sounded in honour of fallen heroes as all current stood in respect.
Particular prayers have been later supplied by an imam and a chaplain for the repose of the souls of the departed and the safety of serving personnel. This was adopted by a minute of silence in honour of the fallen troopers.
At about 10:35 a.m., wreaths have been laid on the cenotaph, starting with the Vice President, adopted by the Senate President, the Deputy Speaker of the Home of Representatives, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Excessive Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima, Chief of Defence Employees, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Military Employees, Lt. Gen Waheedi Shaibu, Chief of Air Employees, Air Marshal, Sunday Aneke, the Chief of Naval Employees, Vice Admiral Ibas Abbas and the Inspector Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and different officers.
Three volleys have been fired by the firing get together after the wreath-laying.
The President thereafter signed the anniversary register and launched pigeons to mark the event.
Dignitaries on the occasion included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation, George Akume; the Minister of Defence; the Chief of Defence Employees, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd); the Nationwide Safety Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-Basic of Police; Kayode Egbetokun, the Senate President; Godswill Akapbio; the Deputy Speaker of the Home of Representatives; and members of the diplomatic corps, led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Excessive Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima.
Chatting with journalists after the occasion, the Minister of Defence reaffirmed the significance of honouring Nigeria’s fallen troopers, wounded personnel, serving officers and their households, noting that the nation owes them continued appreciation and help.
He stated, “It’s all the time vital to understand those that have made sacrifices — those that misplaced their lives, their relations, those that have been injured, and people who are nonetheless serving. It’s a complete effort we undertake collectively to understand them and encourage them by reminding them that Nigerians face challenges, Nigerians love them, Nigerians are praying for them, and that we have to help them.
“If you happen to recall, even the title has been modified. It’s not solely the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Now, now we have a week-long programme of actions.
“It’s now the Armed Forces Celebration, the place we have a good time those that are alive and keep in mind those that have handed on. I feel that may be very complete.”
Remembering Nigeria’s previous heroes, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Celebration, stated the occasion reminds the nation to a rustic worthy of their sacrifice.
He stated ina publish on his social media handles, “On this solemn day of Armed Forces Remembrance, we honour those that have laid down their lives in service to our nation. This particular annual occasion serves as a reminder for us to recommit ourselves to being a nation worthy of their sacrifice.
We’re instructed {that a} soldier’s true grave isn’t within the earth, however within the hearts and minds of these they protected—those that slept peacefully whereas their heroes stood guard. Within the warmth of the solar and the chilliness of the evening, they stood on the frontlines for us.
Maybe probably the most becoming honour we will bestow upon these heroes is to dwell lives that promote peace and progress. We should present management that offers hope to the hopeless. For the households of those fallen heroes, in the present day is not only a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of an empty chair and a voice that’s not heard. Whereas we can not fill that void, we wish to guarantee you that their immense sacrifice was by no means in useless.
God bless our fallen heroes, and will their souls proceed to relaxation in everlasting honour.”
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is widely known each January 15 to have a good time the sacrifices of each dwelling and deceased troopers.