Tinubu absent as Shettima presides over Armed Forces Remembrance Day

In the absence of President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima presided over the Armed Forces Remembrance Day activities, on Thursday.

The president, who has been out of the country since last year, is currently attending a summit at the United Arab Emirate.

Usually, the Commander-in-Chief presides over the occasion, but in his absence, Shettima led the 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 the Vice President, followed by the Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, represented by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.

The wreath was also laid by the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, 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; Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbaa; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Other dignitaries, who also performed the wreath-laying were the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Henry and representative of military widows, Mrs 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.

The Vice President, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeons as a symbol of national peace and freedom.

The celebration started with a series of activities including the Jumma’at prayer on Jan. 9 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on Jan. 11.

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 Ministry of 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 on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, but now changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to create an avenue to also celebrate and honour the serving 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, Jan. 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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