Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday led the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) at the Cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier, Eagle Square, Abuja, standing in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The President was absent due to his participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
HONOURING FALLEN HEROES
The annual ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Defence, paid tribute to Nigerian military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty—spanning the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions, and ongoing internal security operations, especially the fight against terrorism.
Beyond remembrance, the AFCRD also celebrates living veterans and serves as a rallying point for financial and moral support for wounded personnel and families of fallen heroes.
WHY JANUARY 15 MATTERS
While many Commonwealth nations observe Remembrance Day on November 11—marking the end of World War I—Nigeria adopted January 15 to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War, aligning the observance with its national history and realities.
This year’s event carries added weight, coming amid recorded operational gains by the Armed Forces in the North-East and other regions, reinforcing recognition of the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of troops confronting Nigeria’s security challenges.
CALL FOR NATIONAL SUPPORT
The Federal Government expressed profound gratitude to serving and retired personnel, urging citizens, organisations, and the private sector to extend sustained support—particularly to the wounded and bereaved families—during the remembrance period and beyond.
January 15, 2026, also marks 60 years since the first military broadcast by late Major Kaduna Nzeogwu on Radio Nigeria, a pivotal moment in the nation’s military history.
