The 2024-Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration in Nigeria has reached its climax with the laying of wreaths in honour of the country’s fallen heroes at the National Arcade, Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, was the first to lay his wreath, as a mark of respect for the nation’s fallen heroes and heroines, who paid the supreme price in defence of the country.
Soon after the President laid his wreath, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwola followed suit.
The next set of those who laid their wreaths were the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, Minister of State-Defence, Bello Matawale and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Cameroun’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Salahuddin Ibrahim.
Then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun aslo took their turn.
They were followed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Major General Abdulmalik Jibril and the representative of the widows of fallen heroes, Mrs Veronica Aluko, who were the last to lay their wreaths at the colourful ceremony.
Special Prayers
The event also featured prayers for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes, offered by Director, Chaplain Services, Air Commodore Kosau and Brigadier General Usman Musa of the Military Directorate of Islamic Affairs. Both clergies prayed for God’s comfort for the families left behind by the officers and men who paid the supreme price as well as the peace and progress of Nigeria.
There was also a special gun salute in honour of those who lost their lives in defence of the nation.
At the end of the annual event, President Bola Tinubu signed the anniversary register and also released white pigeons, signifying Hope, Peace and freedom of Nigeria.
Guard of Honour
Earlier on arrival, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces inspected a guard of honour mounted for him as the special Guest, and reviewing officer at the event.
Significance
The ceremony which is held on January 15 every year symbolises the end of the country’s civil war, which ended on January 15, 1970.
The event is also held each year, to honour and appreciate surviving military men and women who have retired from service, as well as to honour the wives and children of war veterans.
President Tinubu, who arrived at the venue of the event donning a white native gown, was flanked by armed men of the guards and his personal aides.
Soon after a rendition of the national anthem, the President proceeded to inspect the parade, composed of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Nigerian Legion.
The event also witnessed the ceremonial 21-gun salutes and the firing of three volleys for the fallen heroes.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was unavoidably absent at the event because he is away to Davos, Switzerland, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 54th annual World Economic Forum.
Events marking the 2024 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day kick started on October 25, 2023, with the launch of the remembrance emblem by President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
There was also a special juma’at prayer at the National Mosque Abuja on Friday January 12 and an interdenominational church service at the National Christian centre Abuja on Sunday 14th January, 2024, all in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.