Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2024
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed yearly on January 15 to honor personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army.
In preparation for the 2024-Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, 2024, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, has approved the launch of the first Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Veterans Outreach Programme.
The Programme is scheduled to take place from January 12 to 13, 2024, in the three oldest NAF Commands in Makurdi, Kaduna, and Lagos, and aims to give back to NAF retired officers, airmen, and airwomen through medical outreaches, health support talks/lectures, and interactive sessions with respective AOCs/Base Comds.
Another goal of the outreach is to raise veterans’ morale by providing them a sense of belonging, as well as to provide a platform for discussing and resolving observed issues in retiree care.
It is also expected that the initiative will help to improve the spirits of veterans while also ensuring them that their contributions and sacrifices to the country will be highly recognized and remembered. It would also send a positive message of caring to those who are currently serving, reiterating the NAF’s commitment to protecting Nigerians’ lives and property while encouraging them to continue to serve the nation.
Badaru Established National Planning Committee
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni, has charged members of the newly formed National Planning Committee of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration to make their best contribution to the event, which is dedicated to honoring fallen heroes and veterans who have made significant contributions to the nation.
The Minister stated this while establishing the 23-member National Planning Committee (NPC) to begin planning for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC).
While inaugurating the Committee, he stated that the Federal Government is grateful to the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure the country’s corporate survival.
He urged members to devise commendable projects and events to commemorate the patriotism demonstrated by our departed heroes.
Honourable Ministers of Defence pose for a group photo with the newly appointed members of the National Planning Committee of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event held on January 15th to honor both deceased and current veterans.
He added: “They have given their lives for the peace and security of our dear nation and are therefore worthy of being celebrated as a mark of appreciation and the events are specifically organized to honor and celebrate those that have laid down their lives in the defence of our territorial integrity and promotion of global peace”.
Members of the National Planning Committee were selected from a variety of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
About Armed Forces Remembrance Day
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), commonly known as Remembrance Day, is a public holiday in Nigeria marked on January 15 to honor Nigerian Armed Forces personnel. It also recognizes veterans from World Wars I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War. As a former British colony, Remembrance Day was previously observed on November 11 as Poppy Day to commemorate the end of World War I.
Following the government’s victory over Biafran troops on 15 January 1970, “the day, the instrument of surrender was handed over to Olusegun Obasanjo by Philip Effiong of the Biafran army,” the holiday was moved off the calendar of the Commonwealth of Nations and was changed to 15 January in commemoration of the conclusion of the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart Nigeria’s unity
Commemorations by year
The Guards Brigade Cemetery near Murtala Mohammed Way in Abuja was inaugurated in 2017 as a place to bury active and retired brigade members, as part of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s initiative for all army units to have their unit cemeteries.
2020 celebrated the golden anniversary of the war’s end. During the week of the anniversary, Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osibanjo announced plans to provide funds to families of deceased troops. The Centre for Memories in Enugu (which focuses mostly on preserving Igbo history and culture) broadcast a documentary on AFRD titled January 15, 1970. Untold Memories of the Nigeria-Biafra War
What is Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Nigeria?
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual ceremony held on January 15th to mourn the nation’s departed compatriots as well as to honor our living veterans.
Does Nigeria have a Remembrance Day?
As Nigeria commemorates Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15th, we combine our hearts in solemn thought to remember the sacrifices made by the courageous members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
What is celebrated on January 15 in Nigeria?
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), commonly known as Remembrance Day, is a public holiday in Nigeria marked on January 15 to honor Nigerian Armed Forces personnel. It also recognizes veterans from World Wars I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War.
What is the meaning of Armed Forces Day?
“Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, is the first unified show by America’s defense team of its progress under the National Security Act toward the aim of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of readiness by the combined troops of our land, sea, and air defense.”
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day?
Unlike Veterans Day (previously observed as Armistice Day – the end of World War I), which honors those who wore the cloth of our nation at war; and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died while wearing the cloth of our nation at war, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all of the men and women currently
Is Remembrance Day just for soldiers?
We remember the sacrifice made by the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces communities. We recognize the extraordinary contributions of families and emergency services. We remember the innocent individuals who have died as a result of violence and terrorist attacks.
