On the solemn occasion of Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day, President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the nation’s fallen and serving heroes.
He declared that the peace and freedom Nigeria enjoys are sustained by the supreme sacrifices of its military.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, he emphasised that a nation’s direction is defined by its ability to remember those who laid down their lives for its sovereignty.
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Acknowledging the profound grief of those left behind, Tinubu reached out to the widows, children, and loved ones of deceased personnel.
He stated that while no words could replace their loss, the profound honour with which their loved ones served would never be forgotten by Nigerians.
“A nation that forgets its fallen heroes loses its direction; Nigeria, however, remembers,” the President noted.
The President also extended a salute to current serving personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
He praised their discipline and professionalism in confronting asymmetric threats on land, at sea, and in the air—often under demanding conditions far from home.
He reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to prioritise the well-being of service members, pledged continued institutional backing and resources for troops on the frontlines and stressed that a secure Nigeria stands firmly behind those who defend it.
The 2026 celebration marks the culmination of a week-long series of events, including humanitarian outreaches and religious services.
During the wreath-laying ceremony at the National Arcade, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the President (who is currently on a state visit to the UAE), joined service chiefs and the diplomatic corps to pay the final salute.
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The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute, the sounding of the “Last Post,” and the symbolic release of white pigeons to signify the nation’s hope for enduring peace.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of the fallen and a blessing for the strength of the Armed Forces, calling on all Nigerians to hold the military in the highest esteem.
