AFCRD 2026: Tinubu, Akpabio, Kekere-ekun, Others Honour Fallen Heroes

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, led the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-ekun; members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), National Assembly, Service Chiefs and diplomatic corps, to honour the nation’s fallen and living heroes.

The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja, was the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).

First to lay the wreath was President Tinubu’s representative, Vice President Shettima, followed by the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; and CJN Kerere-ekun.

The wreath was also laid by Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd) and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, who is the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima.

They were followed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Other dignitaries, who also performed the wreath-laying included the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Henry, and representative of military widows, Mrs Cynthia Dusu.

There was also the firing of three volleys in honour of the fallen heroes, which has its origin in the old custom of halting fighting in the warfront to remove the dead from the battlefield.

The Vice President, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeons as a symbol of national peace and freedom.

The celebration started with a series of activities, including the Juma’at prayer on January 9 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on January 11 at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.

This year’s celebration also featured other activities, such as social and award evening for soldiers, ratings and airmen and Regimental Dinner and Award night for officers organised by the Defence Headquarters, among other activities.

The Ministry of Defence Headquarters also held a symposium and lecture series on Monday; Gala and Award Nite on Tuesday as well as medical outreach to military veterans and their families on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, but now changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, is to create an avenue to also celebrate and honour the serving personnel of the armed forces.

It is celebrated globally to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by citizens for the cause of peace.

In Nigeria, January 15 is set aside annually to honour the fallen heroes, who laid down their lives in service to humanity during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace missions and various internal security operations.

The event is also used to honour veterans still alive and as a medium for soliciting financial, moral and material support for the families of the fallen heroes.