The 2025 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration in Nigeria on Wednesday reached its climax with the laying of wreaths in honour of the country’s fallen heroes.
The colourful event took place at the National Arcade, located within the Central Business District of the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, 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.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu who is away to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on official engagement.
Soon after the President laid his wreath, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu followed, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass was unavoidably absent.
Next to lay her wreath in honour of the departed heroes, was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
She was closely followed by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the Minister State for Defence, Bello Matawale.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police then followed suit.
The next set of those who laid their wreaths were the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Cameroun’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Salahuddin Ibrahim, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion and representative of the widows of the fallen heroes.
They were followed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, retired 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; Brigadier General Anthony Maimagani and Director Naval Islamic Affairs; Navy Capt Rabiu Umar.
Both clergies prayed for God’s comfort for the families left behind by the officers and men, who paid the supreme price, as also prayed for the peace and progress of Nigeria.
There was also the firing of the three volleys by what is known in the military circles as Party and Reveille.
At the tail end of the annual event, President Bola Tinubu signed the anniversary register and also released white pigeons, signifying ‘Hope, Peace and freedom of Nigeria.’
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’s representative, who arrived at the venue of the event donning a white native gown, was flanked by armed security men and his personal aides.
Events marking the 2025 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day kick started on October 30, 2024, with the launch of the remembrance emblem by President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
There was also a special Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque Abuja on Friday January 10 and an interdenominational church service at the National Christian center Abuja on Sunday 12th January, 2024, all in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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