Armed Forces Day: Nigeria Remembers Her Fallen Heroes | Things you should Know

January 15th is a special day set aside to celebrate members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who served and are still serving in various peace support operations all around the world and those who fought during the civil war. It was on this day in 1966 that the first military coup that toppled the government of Tafawa Balewa took place in Nigeria.

Remembrance Day Emblem, President Buhari

Today’s event which was kicked off last November 15 with the launching of the Remembrance Day emblem by President Buhari (with a donation of N10M to the Legion) will be high-pointed with military parades by all the branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces, laying of wreaths at the Remembrance Day Arcade as well as the release of pigeons to signify peace for the nation and her people.
Ahead of the event today, a Special Juma’at prayer was held at the National Mosque , president Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country. He also tasked Nigerians to pray for the gallant men and women who laid down their lives in the service of their country.


 History of January 15th Armed Forces Day.

THE Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event organized to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars, and those who served or are still serving in various peace support operations worldwide as well as those who fought in the Nigerian civil war. The Day is to celebrate both the dead and the living heroes including all those who suffered various deprivations as a result of wars.
The Day was initially marked on the eleventh of November every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day popularly known as “Poppy Day” or “11 – 11” for the first and Second World War veterans in all commonwealth countries. However, in Nigeria, in view of some significant historical developments, it is celebrated on the 15th of January every year. The change to January 15 of every year was done in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970, thus signaling the end of the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria.

Vice President Osinbajo

From thence, it has become a national ritual when on every January 15 nationwide, military personnel including the Army, the Navy, the Air force and the Nigerian Legion converge in different centres across the nation to celebrate the day and give honour to the fallen and living heroes who hazarded and continue to hazard their lives for the territorial integrity of the nation and for peace to reign worldwide. The event is held at the federal, state and local levels where either serving military officers reside or where living ex-service men occupy.
Several events including release of pigeons to symbolize peace, placing of wreaths, playing of the last post, Remembrance Day parade, shooting of guns and others characterize this memorable day. The army officers are usually attired in diverse colours typical of their fields be it Navy, Air force, Army and the ex-service men. Beside parades, placing of wreaths and releasing of pigeons, the event also witnesses religious services in both mosques and churches nationwide.

   CELEBRATION AROUND THE NATION



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