Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the national wreath-laying ceremony at the National Arcade in Abuja on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The event served as the climax for the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD), a day set aside to honor citizens who laid down their lives during the World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and various internal security operations. In the absence of President Bola Tinubu, who is currently attending a summit in the United Arab Emirates, Shettima performed the traditional release of ceremonial pigeons to symbolize national peace and freedom.
The ceremony was attended by a high-powered delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa. Following the Vice President, each leader took turns laying wreaths at the Cenotaph, accompanied by the solemn “Last Post” and a 21-gun salute. The event has recently been renamed from “Armed Forces Remembrance Day” to include a celebration of serving personnel, recognizing the “valour and sacrifice” of those currently battling insurgency and banditry across the 36 states.
A poignant moment of the day was the wreath-laying by Mrs. Cynthia Dusu, representing the families of military widows, and Ms. Grace Henry, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion. Their participation highlighted the event’s dual purpose of soliciting moral and material support for the survivors of the fallen. Throughout the week, the Ministry of Defence organized symposiums, medical outreaches for veterans, and gala nights to foster a deeper connection between the military and the civilian population, emphasizing that the debt of gratitude owed to the armed forces is never fully paid.
