SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, (THEWILL) - The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Tuesday, caused a stir as she slumped at the boom of artillery gunfire at the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade which held at the National Arcade in Abuja .

Apparently caught unawares, as the commencement of the artillery boom was not announced as it used to be, Obada, who was flanked by other dignitaries, was apparently shocked by the volley of deafening shots.

She therefore slumped but was helped by vigilant military aides who took her to one corner where she eventually regained consciousness.

The minister later returned to the ceremony where she joined other state officials and dignitaries in laying wreaths in remembrance of the country's fallen heroes.

President Goodluck Jonathan, along with leaders of the National Assembly, the judiciary, service chiefs and the paramilitary, had earlier on kicked off the event by laying wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

January 15 of every year is set aside to honour and remember those who fought to keep the country as one in the Nigerian civil war.

The armed forces remembrance day is globally celebrated every December 11. It is however marked every January 15 in Nigeria because that was the day the first coup occurred in Nigeria and it eventually resulted in the Nigerian civil war.

January 15 is also the day the Biafra War ended with the concept of ``no victor, no vanquish’’ and the beginning of national re-integration.

Tuesday's event was therefore the climax of a series of activities, including prayer sessions, held at the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, which started a week ago.

The ceremony, which held at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone, Abuja started at 10am with President Jonathan, who is also the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, receiving a general salute upon his arrival.

The president later inspected a parade of guards in four colours; the National colour and the three regimental colours of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

Islamic and Christian prayers were also held for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes for their contribution to the peace, security and unity of the nation.

Jonathan, who was followed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, also laid wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers..

The leaders were also joined by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, in the laying of wreaths..

Others who took their turn at the wreath-laying ceremony included the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola ibrahim; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihejirika; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nigeria, Mrs Olumba Kombe as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gayya (rtd) were not left out at the sober ceremony.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim; Ministers, Presidential aides and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Others at the ceremony were members of the armed forces, and their wives; members of the Nigerian Legion and some of the widows of the departed heroes.
The ceremony was brought to an end with a general gun salutes after which President Jonathan the pigeons signifying unfettered freedom, unity, peace and harmony for the country.

The President later took the national salute at the rendition of the national anthem to bring the ceremony to a close.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/18098.html

May I suggest that we rename this Minister, Comical Ali Amina.

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