Representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the wreath-laying ceremony for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja. #ArmedForcesRemebrance2025
Representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the wreath-laying ceremony for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National… pic.twitter.com/tYCaGkIX0A
Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has laid the wreath at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja, representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #ArmedForcesRemebrance2025
Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has laid the wreath at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja, representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of… pic.twitter.com/zMUFLIzWGJ
Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has released the ceremonial pigeons at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja, representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #ArmedForcesRemebrance2025
Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has released the ceremonial pigeons at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja, representing His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, President and Commander-in-Chief of the… pic.twitter.com/5LmluCp6T6
Vice President @KashimSM today led the nation in commemorating the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Arcade in Abuja. Representing President @officialABAT, the Vice President participated in the solemn wreath-laying ceremony, paying tribute to Nigeria’s fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
The ceremony was attended by key government and military officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, @OfficialBenKalu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Minister of Defence, @Mohammed_Badaru; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, @GovWike; and Minister of State for Defence, @Bellomatawalle1.
Also present were service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
During the ceremony, Vice President Shettima laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a gesture symbolizing the nation’s deep gratitude to those who gave their lives for peace and security. The event featured traditional military rituals, including a gun salute and the release of white pigeons by the Vice President, symbolizing peace and unity. Prayers were offered for the souls of the departed, followed by a minute of silence in their honor.
On this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 15, I commemorate the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform. Their labor and sacrifices will never be forgotten. Nigerians owe them eternal gratitude, especially those who paid the ultimate price to protect their countrymen.
I call for greater support and cooperation for the Nigerian Armed Forces in their tireless efforts to safeguard lives and property across the country.
As Nigerians remember the fallen heroes of the Armed Forces, the government remains committed to strengthening security institutions to ensure the unity and prosperity of the nation.
It is important to note that there can be no economic growth or stability without the safety of lives and investments. Security is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens, not just government agencies.
As the security and welfare of citizens remain a primary responsibility of the government, the 10th House will continue to prioritize the needs of security and safety agencies. Additionally, I call for better welfare packages for the families of our fallen heroes and pray for their comfort in these trying times.
Finally, I urge members of the Armed Forces, especially those on the frontlines, to remain steadfast in their patriotic duty to secure the nation, driven by a spirit of sacrifice and dedication.
The Oyo State Government joins all Nigerians to remember and honour the brave men and women of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and peace. Their courage and dedication inspire us all.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and show our gratitude for their service.
Today, on Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2025, we honour the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of our fallen heroes who gave their all for the peace and unity of Nigeria. Their courage reminds us of the price of freedom and our duty to protect it.
As Governor of Lagos State, I reaffirm our commitment to supporting the families of our fallen heroes and our veterans. Let us all remember their sacrifice and work together to build a nation worthy of their selfless service.
On this #ArmedForcesRememberance2025, I pay tribute to the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform. May their sacrifices never be in vain. #ThankASoldier. -AA
Today, our dear nation commemorates Armed Forces Remembrance Day—a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring our fallen military heroes, veterans, and active service members.
I join millions of Nigerians in expressing profound gratitude to these gallant individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the peace and security of our beloved nation.
I also extend my heartfelt encouragement to our active-duty military personnel stationed on various frontlines, bravely combating the scourge of insecurity across the country.
Your sacrifices are deeply appreciated.
As we face these challenging times, I urge you to remain steadfast and resolute in your noble mission to secure the future of our nation.
Furthermore, I call on the government to prioritize the welfare of our military personnel by ensuring access to quality healthcare for them and their families, as well as education for their children. These essential measures will inspire greater commitment and reinforce their dedication to building a safer and better Nigeria.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day allows us to express our gratitude and pay tribute to our ex-servicemen and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and other nations.
Our nation is in dire need of peace, and so is the World. As we mark this solemn event today, remember that people laid down their lives, and many still do so to guarantee our peaceful co-existence.
Therefore, let us eschew violence and divisive tendencies for a peaceful and prosperous nation. Let us all become ambassadors of peace. We can build a future of hope and optimism together, where peace and unity reign supreme.
Thank you, and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day allows us to express our gratitude and pay tribute to our ex-servicemen and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and other nations.
Today, we honor the courage and sacrifices of our gallant Armed Forces who selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice to defende the territorial integrity of Nigeria and guarantee our peaceful coexistence. The 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a solemn reminder of the bravery of those who laid down their lives in service to our nation and global peace.
As we mark this day, I call on all Nigerians to reciprocate their sacrifices by supporting our officers, veterans, and the families of our fallen heroes. Their welfare and well-being must remain a priority for us all.
Our government remains steadfast in providing modern weapons and ensuring proactive operations through improved synergy among our security and intelligence communities. Together, we can build a future of peace, unity, and optimism for generations to come.
I wrote this for the British, Commonwealth, French and American Remembrance Day, which is on November 11th.
naptu2: Nigerian troops in the two world wars and why the Nigerian High Commissioner will lay a wreath today.
Kamerun was colonised by Germany, so there were concerns with the outbreak of World War 1 that Nigeria could be attacked by Kamerun/Germany. Troops were mobilised for the defence of Nigeria and for action against Kamerun/Germany. The war on Nigeria's eastern front raged between 1914-1916. Nigerian troops captured Yaounde and Douala and were able to drive the Germans to Spanish Guinea (now Equatorial Guinea) where they were disarmed. The Royal Navy sent some warships to Nigeria to assist with the campaign.
Germany also colonised Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and parts of Kenya, so Nigerian troops were also deployed to East Africa to fight against the Germans. This phase of the war lasted from 1916-1918 and resulted in a victory for the allies (British Empire [Indians, East, West and South Africans], Belgian and Portuguese forces). At least 2,700 Nigerians died in this campaign.
Nigerians also famously fought in the 2nd World War. Nigerian troops were deployed in 1940 to participate in the defence of Kenya. They also fought in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Somalia and Sudan. They returned to Nigeria in 1941.
Back in Nigeria, they were deployed to the northern and western borders after France fell, to prevent a possible attack by the Vichy French (there were concerns that the Vichy French would try to invade Nigeria and this resulted in several false alarms in 1941 and 1942).
Their most famous battles in the war were in India and Burma between 1943 - 1945. Many famous Nigerian soldiers, such as Sergeant Hama Kim, Wellington Bassey and Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, fought in this phase of the war. They were engaged in intense and brutal fighting against the Japanese in awful conditions.
The BBC has produced several documentaries (on tv and radio) about the exploits of these Africans in South-East Asia. A British journalist, Barnaby Philips, produced a documentary for Al-Jazeera in 2012 called "Burma Boy" in which he tracked down a Nigerian soldier that fought in Burma during World War 2 and got him to tell his story. He also tracked down the children of the Burmese man who sheltered the Nigerian soldier when he got injured and the Japanese were looking for him. Barnaby Philips also wrote a book about Nigerian soldiers who fought in Burma. It's titled "Another Man's War".
Many Nigerian sitcoms in the 1970s and 1980s had a character that was a former major who fought in the 2nd World War (usually in Burma, but also in the Carribeans), eg Sura Di Tailor, Second Chance and Village Headmaster.
Many Nigerian graves remain in cemeteries at the Dalet Chaung near Tamandu, the Rangoon Memorial and the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma.
Several barracks in Nigeria are named after places where Nigerian troops fought and died during the 2nd World War. These include Dodan (Ikoyi), An (Yaba), Myohaung (Yaba), Arakan (Apapa), Marda (Yaba) and Tamandu Barracks (Apapa) in Lagos; Letmauk Barracks in Ibadan; Dalet, Mogadishu, Colito and Kalapanzin Barracks in Kaduna; and the Chindit Barracks in Zaria.
Ceremonies were held in certain military cemeteries in Nigeria on the 11th to honour soldiers who died in these wars.
That's why the Nigerian High Commissioner will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London today.
Picture 1: Inspection of Nigerian recruits.
Picture 2: West African and Indian troops in India during the Second World War.
Picture 3: A West African soldier being operated on during the War.
Picture 4: Nigerian troops board a Royal Air Force Dakota plane for the journey to Burma to take part in Operation Thursday.
In fact, they receive their salaries until death and they can be called back into active service (without any loss of rank) if Nigeria is in a serious war/conflict.
spencekat: Also, today makes it 6 years, my beloved father died. Dad, may your nice soul continue to rest in peace. May also the souls of our departed armed forces personnel continue to rest in peace.
Amen. May your beloved father's soul rest in peace.
I thought rtd servicemen don't put on their uniforms. I remember reading about a dinner party when IBB was HOS, I think it was aikhomu who had retired at the time, but attended with agbada
4 star generals, admirals and marshals do not retire. They leave active service, but they do not retire.
(Aikhomu was a vice admiral when he left active service in 1990, but Babangida promoted him on August 27th, 1993 (just before leaving office) and backdated the promotion to 1990).
Politics › Re: Photos And Videos Of Remembrance Day 2025 Events Across Nigeria by naptu2(op): 4:39am On Jan 16, 2025*. Modified: 6:00am On Jan 16, 2025
