Vice President Kashim Shettima led other top government functionaries, including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and others, to lay wreaths in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu who has been away attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the UAE.
Tinubu departed Abuja last Saturday to participate in the 2025 edition of Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025) taking place in Abu Dhabi.
- NEW DAILY PRIME reported that His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, invited President Tinubu to attend the Summit, which began Monday, January 12, and will end on Saturday, January 18.
The Summit aims to bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socio-economic progress.
Other dignitaries at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, including Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume.
Earlier, in a statement, the Senate commended the selfless sacrifices of the military. The upper legislative chamber also commended “serving officers and soldiers who are currently maintaining the peace and ensuring that our nation is secured and safe from internal and external aggression.”
Every January 15, Nigeria’s military comes together to commemorate Armed Forces Remembrance Day. This day is set aside to honor the heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day also celebrates military personnel currently serving on the frontlines in various parts of the country to protect the nation.
The day is equally dedicated to honoring veterans of World War I, World War II, and the Nigerian Civil War.
As a former British colony, Nigeria initially observed Remembrance Day on November 11, alongside other countries of the Commonwealth, marking the end of World War I, known as Poppy Day.
However, following the Nigerian government’s victory over Biafran troops on January 15, 1970, the date was changed to mark the end of the Nigerian Civil War, a conflict that threatened to divide the nation’s unity.
As Nigeria marks 64 years of independence, the event served as a poignant reminder of the courage and dedication of its military heroes, ensuring the nation’s survival amid internal and external challenges.
