By Naomi Jeremiah
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other top government officials on Thursday joined military chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps to commemorate the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Arcade, Abuja.
The annual parade and wreath-laying ceremony was held in honour of Nigerian servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty while defending the nation and promoting global peace.
The dignitaries were led in a solemn march to the cenotaph by soldiers before laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in remembrance of the fallen heroes. Prayers were also offered for both the deceased and serving members of the armed forces.
The prayer session was led by the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestants) of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Rev. B.P. Nyam, followed by the Director of Air Force Islamic Affairs, Group Captain H. Idris, and the Director of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Navy Captain Very Rev. Fr. R.C. Diala.
A minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen, after which an artillery gun salute was fired to conclude the solemn segment of the ceremony.
Vice President Shettima led the wreath-laying, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya. He was followed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (Rtd), and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Abbas Salaheeden, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cameroon.
Also laying wreaths were the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Observed annually on January 15, Armed Forces Remembrance Day honours veterans of the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and fallen and serving members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces whose sacrifices have contributed to national unity, security, and international peacekeeping efforts.
Source: Channels Tv