- President pleads with Nigerians to renounce violence, divisive tendencies
- Diri, AbdulRazaq, Abiodun, Ododo, others want collaboration to maintain nation’s integrity
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday called on Nigerians to renounce violence and divisive tendencies, stressing the importance of unity and prosperity for the country.
He reminded citizens that the relative peace they enjoy is due to the sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have laid down — and continue to lay down — their lives to ensure Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Tinubu shared these thoughts in a tweet posted on his official X handle to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
He said, “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.”
Tinubu noted that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day allows the nation to express its 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,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima led dignitaries, including members of the diplomatic corps, to the National Arcade in Abuja for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and wreath-laying ceremony.
Shettima represented President Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, as Special Guest of Honour.
Tinubu, who is customarily the Special Guest of Honour, is in the United Arab Emirates for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The ceremony kicked off at 10:07 am with Shettima’s arrival and his mounting of the saluting dais, where he took the National Anthem.
Wednesday’s events included the Last Post, signaled by the bugle in memory of the fallen heroes, prayers by Christian and Muslim clerics, a minute’s silence, and wreath laying, led by the Vice President.
Others who laid wreaths were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also laid wreaths.
Others who laid wreaths were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima; Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril; and the representative of the Military Widows Association, Mrs Olubunmi Ese-Okiti.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, also attended the ceremony.
The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by three-volley shots, after which the Special Guest of Honour, represented by Shettima, signed the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Anniversary Register and released the white pigeons.
Afterward, Shettima was honoured with the National Salute, marking the end of the ceremony.
Briefing journalists after the event, Defence Minister Badaru said the ceremony shows surviving members of the families of the fallen that their sacrifice remains fresh in the collective memory of the nation.
“I must thank Nigerians for praying day and night for our fallen heroes. It is a solemn moment, and we remember those who have paid the supreme price while guarding our country.
“This is really an occasion that calls for prayer, unity, and for those living members of the Armed Forces to know that they will be remembered when they fall,” he noted.
Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril (retd), said Wednesday’s ceremony honours the living servicemen and women as much as it honours the fallen.
Jubril noted that those in service must see the honour as signaling that they serve a grateful nation.
He said, “My thought is of gratitude to the entire nation for coming together to support the fallen heroes. Not only fallen heroes, but also those who have served and have retired, and those who are serving; this is a very excellent signal to them that even after service, even after sacrifices, Nigerians will not forget them; they’ll continue to support them.”
For her part, the National President of the Military Widows Association, Ese-Okiti, urged the Federal Government to expedite life insurance claims for its members who lost their husbands in action.
She explained, “Life insurance is the only thing we are fighting for now. They’ve paid some army people, Navy and Air Force, and some army people are still waiting for their own, and they have assured us that they will pay very soon.
“For anyone who has a problem getting their entitlements, we push the paper forward and go to the authorities to find out. It has stages; it’s not like immediately your husband dies; they will give you the entitlement.
“There are some records they follow; the next of kin, who is to collect what. They will prepare the paper, and when it is time, they will give it to you.”
Don’t forget sacrifices of fallen heroes, Diri Urges Nigerians
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called for concerted effort to build a Nigeria that embodied justice, equity and peace and that was deserving of the sacrifices of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Paying tribute to the nation’s slain heroes, he stressed the need to move beyond ceremonial gestures and ensure that the sacrifices of the heroes were reflected in the progress and betterment of society.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa governor said as Nigerians gather annually to honour the memory of former and late soldiers, he was concerned about the paradox that underscored their ultimate sacrifice because they paid the supreme price so that others might live.
He stated, “The legacy of our heroes calls for a Nigeria where justice, equity, and prosperity are tangible realities for all citizens. It is about ensuring that policies and actions bring about meaningful and positive outcomes, addressing the needs of all Nigerians, and working towards the common good.
“Every decision, no matter how big or small, should be made with the aim of fostering unity, justice, peace, promoting development, and enhancing the welfare of every individual in our nation.”
According to Diri, “the cruel irony of war is that those who fought to bring us peace often did so at the cost of their own lives. The bravery and selflessness displayed by these remarkable individuals have inspired generations of Nigerians, and their legacy continues to shape the chapters of our nation’s history.
“We remember their sacrifices, their arduous struggles, and their ultimate giving as we honour their memory of striving to create a better Nigeria for every citizen.”
To families of the fallen heroes, the governor pledged his administration’s support to them, stating that their sacrifices were a shared burden.
The governor also expressed gratitude to the security agencies for their role in ensuring that the state remained peaceful and secure, adding that the government would continue to provide essential support to enable them to perform their duties efficiently.
“The maintenance of law and order remains a priority for our administration, as it provides the foundation upon which we are constructing a prosperous and thriving society, one conducive for economic growth, social development, and individual wellbeing, ultimately leading to the attainment of our vision for a more prosperous Bayelsa.”
Highpoint of the ceremony was the laying of wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier by Governor Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, represented by his vice, King Charles Owaba, service commanders and widow of a fallen hero, Mrs Esther Femowei.
AbdulRazaq lays wreath, hails sacrifices of fallen heroes
Also, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, laid the wreath at the cenotaph of the unknown soldier on Wednesday.
The Governor also freed the white pigeons, another symbolic gesture that signifies Nigeria’s commitment to peace and harmony following a 30-month civil war in which multitudes of soldiers and civilians died across the country.
He was joined at the solemn event in Ilorin, the state capital, by top government officials, such as Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; security commanders; war veterans; community leaders; academics; members of the Nigerian Legion; and spouses of fallen heroes.
Governor Abdulrazaq urged Nigerians to always remember men of the Armed Forces and security agents for their immeasurable sacrifices for the nation.
He also requested citizens to continue to pray for peace and unity of the country.
“The significance of today is that we must never forget those that held us together today. We must not forget their families.
“We should continue to pray for Nigeria to have peace, harmony, and improved security,” he told reporters shortly after interacting with veterans at the medical pavilion the state funded for members of the Nigerian Legion.
Other dignitaries who laid the wreath at the event included the Deputy Governor; State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara; heads of security agencies; representative of the Speaker Kwara House of Assembly and Deputy Speaker, Ojo Olayiwole; Commissioner for Social Development, Bosede Olaitan Buraimo; representative of the Emir of Ilorin Sheikh AbdulRahman Kelani; Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, Kwara State branch, retired Brigadier General Abdulkadir Anigiobi; representative of the Vice Chancellor and Deputy VC Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof Yusuf Abdullahi; and Mrs Tiamiyu Fatimo, a widow of one of the fallen heroes.
To honour memory of fallen heroes, Nigeria’s unity must be preserved – Abiodun
In the same vein, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has emphasized the importance of collective efforts to keep Nigeria in unity, saying its indivisibility remains not negotiable.
Speaking at the Special Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony to commemorate the Year 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, the Governor urged Nigerians to collaborate with government at all levels to maintain the nation’s integrity.
Governor Abiodun noted that Armed Forces Remembrance Day serves as a solemn occasion to honour those who sacrificed their lives to protect the country from both external and internal threats as he expressed his firm belief in the potential for Nigeria to thrive once again.
He urged Nigerians to make it a priority to remember and celebrate the fallen heroes in their daily lives.
“We honour them not only for making the ultimate sacrifice but also for the loved ones they have left behind, including their widows and widowers,” he said.
Abiodun reiterated the importance of remembering the fallen heroes beyond just the designated day of January 15 each year.
“We should strive to commemorate their contributions every day, showing love and support to those they have left behind. Many of these individuals simply need to know that we care,” he added.
The Governor stressed the need to ensure Nigeria remains united and indivisible, asserting that this is a meaningful way to honour the sacrifices made by those who fought for the nation.
“We must also do everything to ensure that this nation called Nigeria remains one and indivisible. That is another way we can show them love and appreciation that all that fight that has made them sacrifice their life for this nation has not been in vain,” he said.
The event featured a symbolic release of doves to represent peace and the laying of wreaths by Governor Abiodun, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, as well as paramount rulers from across the state, the Commissioner of Police, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, the Commandant of the 35 Artillery Brigade, the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, and a widow of one of the fallen heroes.
Ododo pledges full support for families of fallen heroes
Similarly, the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has promised unwavering support for the families of the nation’s fallen heroes, lauding their bravery and patriotism.
Speaking at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony held at the World War Cenotaph in Lokoja, Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of the occasion as a time to honour the sacrifices of the armed forces in building the nation.
The governor reiterated his administration’s dedication to assisting the families of fallen heroes and providing care for veterans who served Nigeria with distinction.
He announced the immediate inclusion of widows and children of the fallen heroes in the free health insurance coverage under the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme.
Governor Ododo also assured of continued support for injured officers and men of the armed forces in Kogi State, emphasizing the need for unity in building a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by military personnel.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing peace and security under the administration’s renewed hope agenda.
The ceremony featured a traditional wreath-laying segment, during which Governor Ododo, military commanders, traditional rulers, and representatives of army veterans paid solemn tributes to the fallen heroes.
In addition, some attendees at the event expressed their appreciation for the armed forces and called for sustained efforts to support both the families of fallen heroes and those still serving the nation.
Let’s work towards a more peaceful, secure Nigeria -Adeleke
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has also urged residents of the state to continue supporting the Armed Forces in working towards a more peaceful and secure Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Military cenotaph, Osogbo, on Wednesday, Adeleke assured that his administration would support the Armed Forces to enable them perform their duties in protecting the territorial integrity of the country.
He said, “We gather here today to commemorate the year 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honour the bravery, sacrifices and loyalty of our men and women in uniform.
“As we mark this significant Day, we remember the supreme price paid by our fallen heroes who laid down their lives in defense of our great nation. Their memories will forever be etched in our hearts and their sacrifices will never be in vain nor be forgotten.
“As we celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, let us remember our commitment to the values of patriotism, loyalty and sacrifice for which the Nigerian armed forces are known.
“Let us continue to support our armed forces and work towards a more peaceful and secure Nigeria.
“For us in Osun State, we will continue to support the armed forces to enable them to perform their duties of protecting the territorial integrity of our nation and state.”
Uzodimma pleads with private school owners to award scholarships to fallen heroes’ wards
The Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has appealed to the civil populace, especially private school proprietors, to assist the children of deceased soldiers by awarding scholarships to them as a way to cushion the effects of the loss of their bread-winners.
The Governor made the request on Wednesday in his remarks at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, Imo State.
He said, “beyond the annual observance there is need to focus on the significance of the fallen heroes who scarified and laid down their lives for others for the peace and continued existence of our country, Nigeria as one entity,” noting that “the sacrifice is the highest form of patriotism for which we can never repay them enough.”
“Patriotism is the love of one’s country. These Nigerians we are remembering today love Nigeria unto death,” he added and asserted that “we have various contributions to make to demonstrate our love for Nigeria.”
Uzodimma said, “Nigerians need to do all within their powers to support the families of the departed gallant soldiers. The support could be physical, through monetary assistance; emotional, through kind words of consolation and encouragement, hence the need to be with them, to reassure them that their husbands and fathers did not die in vain.”
During the event, Governor Uzodimma had laid a wreath as the Special Guest of honour, signed the Register and performed the symbolic release of pigeons to signify peace in the land.
The ceremony was attended by the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe and members of the House of Assembly.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Defence to commemorate the nation’s fallen heroes, who paid the supreme price during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace support operations around the world, as well as various internal security operations.
The ceremony is held every January 15 as it marks the end of the Nigerian Civil War on the same date in 1970. Previously, it was observed on November 11, alongside other Commonwealth nations.