President Bola Tinubu on Monday led the leadership of the National Assembly, the armed forces and other critical stakeholders to honour the nation’s living and fallen heroes by laying the wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the National Arcade, Abuja.
The ceremony was the climax of the armed forces Remembrance activities which began with the launch in October, 2023 of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem by President Tinubu.
On hand to witness the ceremony were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Others at the wreath-laying ceremony were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa who led all the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, among others, to graced the occasion organised to honour the country’s departed heroes.
Christian and Muslim prayers were offered by the services clergymen for the living and peaceful repose of the souls of the departed heroes who fought gallantly for global peace. This was followed by the observance of a minute silence.
President Tinubu led the wreath-laying ceremony accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade at the foot of the unknown soldier.
This was followed by the President of the Senate, Speaker House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Minister of the FCT, Minister of State for Defence and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria.
The Service Chiefs as well as Inspector General of Police, among others, took their turns to lay wreaths respectively.
Ceremonial shots were fired by armed soldiers as part of the activities performed at military ceremonies.
The event culminated in the signing of the anniversary register by President Tinubu before his symbolic release of white pigeons to signify peace.
The AFRDC is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Defence to commemorate the country’s fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of humanity during the First and Second World wars, the Nigerian Civil War, Peace Support Operations around the world, as well as various Internal Security Operations.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Legion has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration not to get tired of looking at the welfare of veterans, especially in relation to salary increase for the serving members of the armed forces.
Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (rtd) made the call Monday, at the end of ceremonies climaxing the armed forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the National Arcade, Eagle Square, Abuja.
Answering questions from newsmen at the end of the ceremonies, General Jibrin said “I want the government, in addition to the creating this day, continue to enhance the well-being of those who have served and left. Those families of the fallen heroes including those who are serving. Government should not get tired of looking at the welfare of veterans, especially when it’s related to the increase of salary of serving members of the armed forces.”
He also called on government to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars as well as through other international engagements including operations in Liberia, in Sierra Leone, and under United Nations and Africa Union.
His words: “I am sure you know, the unfortunate incident of fighting civil war in Nigeria 1967 – 1970. The end of it signifies a day of joy. The number of people that we lost, who made a supreme sacrifice on both sides is also a source of solemn remembrance, that we pray for the repose of their souls and for the sacrifice they made.”
“There should be a corresponding increase of the pensions of the those who have served and left. The families of the fallen heroes, actually after the demise of the loved ones, they left. After giving them the entitlement of gratuity and death benefit, they are left in the hands of the Nigerian Legion.
While noting that the Nigerian Legion is not well grounded in terms of finances, to be able to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of looking after all the families of the fallen heroes, he also expressed the need for the Tinubu-led administration “to continuously look at our allowances, our pensions in correspondence, and also in relation to the inflationary tendency that we’re all experiencing now.
“Otherwise after leaving service you are already about 60 something and your health challenge is enormous, if you are not having enough allowance or pensions, you will not be able to take care of yourself. And there are limitations as to the category of health care you can receive after retirement. It is limited to only yourself and your wife, and if you have any child that is below 18. That’s all it can do.
On what government can do to assist the retirees and the family of heroes, General Jibrin urged the government to consider “improvement and increase of the pension and allowances that are entitled to us after service.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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