VP Shettima Leads Nation to Honour Fallen Heroes at 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday led a distinguished delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, service chiefs, and the diplomatic corps, to pay tribute to the nation’s fallen and living heroes.
The solemn occasion, held at the National Arcade in Abuja, featured a wreath-laying ceremony marking the climax of the 2025 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).
Vice President Shettima was the first to lay a wreath, followed by Senate President Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu (representing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas), and Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
Other participants in the ceremony included Minister of Defence Muhammed Badaru, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, and service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also joined in paying respects.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian Legion, and widows of fallen soldiers, led by Veronica Aluko, President of the Military Widows Association (MIWA), also laid wreaths to honour the heroes.
A traditional military salute followed, with the firing of three volleys, a symbolic act rooted in the age-old battlefield custom of pausing hostilities to retrieve the fallen.
The Vice President capped the event by signing the anniversary register and releasing ceremonial white pigeons, symbolizing peace and freedom.
The week-long celebration began on January 10 with a Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque, followed by an interdenominational Christian service on January 12. Other highlights included a social and awards evening for military personnel, a regimental dinner and awards night for officers, and a lecture and art exhibition hosted by Defence Headquarters.
This year, the celebration, renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, aims to honour both fallen heroes and serving personnel for their dedication to national peace and security.
Observed annually on January 15 in Nigeria, the day commemorates those who sacrificed their lives in global conflicts, including the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations. It also serves as a platform to honour veterans and garner support for the families of the fallen.
As Vice President Shettima noted during the event, “Their sacrifices remind us of the cost of freedom and the unwavering commitment required to preserve our nation’s unity and peace.”
