In Nigeria, today is the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, an annual ceremony commemorating the nation’s troops and fallen heroes. ayokinews.com reports
The annual celebration, which takes place on January 15, honors soldiers of World War I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War. It’s a day set aside for solemn meditations on the military’s importance to the country.
While the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which commemorates the conclusion of World War is observed on November 11 every year worldwide, it is also known as the armistice day.
The date was modified to honor the restoration of Nigeria’s unity after the formal conclusion of the Nigerian Civil War on January 15, 1970, when the Biafran secessionists surrendered.
President Muhammadu Buhari held a wreath-laying ceremony and oversaw a presidential procession at the National Arcade in Abuja as part of the celebrations.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President; Ahmad Lawan, Senate President; Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Justice Tanko Muhammad, Chief Justice of the Federation; and the service chiefs, led by General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; were among the dignitaries present.
President Buhari, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, lay a wreath to honor the fallen heroes after prayers were offered in both Christian and Islamic faiths.
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Following that, Professor Osinbajo and others took turns paying tribute to the troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Throughout the commemoration, state governors are expected to pay respect to the nation’s fallen heroes at events held around the federation.
The Federal Government ordered the closing of portions of the roadways leading to the Federal Secretariat buildings and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as early as 2 p.m. on Friday, ahead of the event in the nation’s capital.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, issued a circular informing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the shutdown.
“This event which involves the wreath-laying ceremony by President Muhammadu Buhari, accompanied by top government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps will hold on Saturday, 15 January at the National Arcade, Abuja,” said AbudulGaniyu Aminu, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the (HCSF).
Credit (Source): https://www.channelstv.com/2022/01/15/armed-forces-remembrance-day-nigeria-honours-fallen-heroes/
