The Federal Government and the military top brass gathered at the National Cenotaph, Eagle Square, on Thursday to pay solemn tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).
The ceremony, a centrepiece of national gratitude, honoured the officers and personnel who made the supreme sacrifice to preserve Nigeria’s peace, unity, and territorial integrity.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event. On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, the Vice President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, signalling the nation’s enduring debt to its military martyrs.
The ceremony of remembrance continued as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), each took turns laying wreaths in honour of the deceased.
The top echelon of Nigeria’s security architecture was out in full force to honour their departed colleagues. General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, led the Service Chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector-General of Police, in the wreath-laying ceremony.
Military observers noted that the event serves as a public reaffirmation of the Armed Forces’ relentless commitment to the values of patriotism and loyalty to the fatherland.
The event saw a high-profile turnout from the Federal Executive Council, the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian Legion. The presence of both serving and retired senior officers underscored the continuity of military tradition and the collective resolve to support the families of those left behind.
As the Last Post sounded and the ceremonial pigeons were released, symbolising national peace, the atmosphere remained one of deep reflection on the sacrifices that underpin Nigeria’s sovereignty.
