Tinubu Hails Fallen Heroes, Says Their Courage Sustains Nigeria’s Freedom and Peace

Although absent at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day commem­oration in Abuja, on Thursday, Pres­ident Bola Tinubu has praised the fallen heroes, saying their courage has been sustaining freedom and peace in the country.
Tinubu, who personally penned down a touching message, noted that a nation that forgets its fallen heroes loses its direction.

Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima was at the Eagle Square National Arcade where he laid wreath on behalf of his principal, who is attending a climate sustain­ability summit in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Tinubu sent in these words, “On this Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day, Nigeria pauses to honour its heroes.

“We remember the brave men and women of the Ni­gerian Armed Forces who sacrificed everything for our country.

“Their names might not always be remembered, but their courage sustains our freedom and peace. A nation that forgets its fallen heroes loses its direction; Nigeria, however, remembers.

“I also speak today to the families of our fallen heroes-widows, children, and loved ones. Your loss is profound, and no words can replace the sacrifices of your loved ones. They served Nigeria with honour, and our people will never forget their sacrifices.

“Today, we celebrate our serving personnel. From the frontlines to support posi­tions, on land, sea, and air, you carry the heavy responsibility of protecting our people and sovereignty with discipline, courage, and professionalism, often far from home.

“As president and com­mander-in-chief, I reaffirm my commitment to the welfare and dignity of our Armed Forces. A secure Nige­ria stands behind those who defend it. We will continue to support them in action.

“May our fallen heroes rest in peace. May God strengthen our Armed Forces.

May God bless Nigeria”.

Meanwhile, Tinubu was also absent at last year’s cele­bration, marking the second consecutive year the vice president is representing him at the annual activities commemorating the day for fallen heroes.

Physically present at the Eagle Square, Abuja, were President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, among others.

The AFCRD is an annual event organised by the Min­istry of Defence to honour fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in service to the nation.

They include personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars, the Nige­rian Civil War, peace support operations, and various in­ternal security engagements, particularly the ongoing fight against terrorism that threat­ens Nigeria’s corporate exis­tence.

Beyond remembrance, the event also celebrates living veterans and serves as a plat­form to solicit financial and moral support for their wel­fare, as well as for the families of fallen service members.

While the AFCRD is ob­served globally, Nigeria’s commemoration reflects its unique historical experience.

As a member of the Com­monwealth, Nigeria previ­ously marked Remembrance Day on November 11, in line with other member states, to honour those who died in the World Wars.

The date, 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the official end of the First World War in 1918.

However, January 15 was later adopted to commemo­rate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and to reflect na­tional realities.

The 2026 AFCRD holds special significance, coincid­ing with recorded successes by the Armed Forces in the North-East and other parts of the country. It is, therefore, an occasion to specially ac­knowledge the courage, pro­fessionalism and sacrifices of officers and men confronting Nigeria’s security challenges so that citizens may live in peace.

The Federal Government reiterated its enduring grat­itude to these gallant Nige­rians and called on citizens, organisations, and the private sector to support service per­sonnel generously, especially the wounded and the families left behind by fallen heroes, during the remembrance pe­riod and beyond.

Recall also that the Nigeri­an government recently took delivery of weapons and mili­tary equipment from the Unit­ed States government to aid its fight in taming insecurity.

For decades, the Nigerian government has been battling terrorism which has led to the death of thousands of citizens including civilians and secu­rity personnel.

The president, despite huge budgetary provision for the military has continu­ously assured that it will not hold back any support for the personnel until insecurity is checked.

Fubara Directs Instant Jobs For Children Of Fallen Soldiers

Meanwhile, Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the im­mediate employment of chil­dren of fallen servicemen in the state as part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Re­membrance Day.

The directive was issued on Thursday during the Armed Forces Remembrance cere­mony at Government House, Port Harcourt, in honour of officers who died defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, as well as those who have retired from active service.

According to a statement issued by Juliana Masi, Head, Information and Public Rela­tions Unit, Office of the Sec­retary to the State Govern­ment, Governor Fubara said the decision reflects the state government’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces, other security agencies, and the families of fallen heroes.

He stressed that Rivers State would continue to work closely with military forma­tions in the state, providing logistical and welfare support to enhance their effectiveness.

The governor disclosed that the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Beni­bo Anabraba, has been given a clear mandate to ensure the immediate implementation of the employment directive for the beneficiaries.

Governor Fubara said the move is aimed at providing di­rect socio-economic support to the families of deceased servicemen and improving the welfare of members of the Nigerian Legion and their dependents.

He said, “I want to mention here that in line with our sup­port, the secretary to the state government has been given a marching order to ensure that the employment promised by the state government for the children of our veterans would be immediately attend­ed to.

“This is part of our way of showing socio-economic sup­port to the families”.

He acknowledged the con­tinuous deployment of troops across the country, particular­ly in the North-East against Boko Haram and other insur­gent groups, as well as in the North-West and North-Cen­tral regions where soldiers are combating banditry and kidnapping.

The governor also refer­enced military operations in the South-East and South- South, including efforts to tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and other se­curity challenges on land and at sea.

He further paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and various inter­national peacekeeping oper­ations, as well as those who have died in recent counter-in­surgency operations across the country.

He described the Armed Forces Celebration and Re­membrance Day as an oppor­tunity for the nation to reflect on the sacrifices and enduring legacy of its military person­nel, honour fallen heroes, and express gratitude to their fam­ilies, veterans, and serving officers.

The governor also com­mended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening the military, equipping it with modern weapons, improving person­nel welfare, and addressing Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

“Let me therefore express my appreciation for our dear President, Command­er-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excel­lency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unparalleled commitment to building a strong military that is ready to defend our sovereignty and tackle internal security chal­lenges in this nation.

“We also commend our president for equipping our armed forces with modern weapons and also motivating the military with improved salaries and other welfare packages,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State chapter, Kuu Aminkipo Promise, expressed apprecia­tion to the state government for its sustained support.

Speaking on behalf of members of the Nigerian Legion, widows, and depen­dents of fallen heroes, the chairman particularly com­mended the governor for the launch of the 2026 Emblem Appeal Fund with a donation of N100 million, describing the gesture as extraordinary and reassuring to veterans and their families.

He said, “Your Excellency Sir, let me attempt to suffi­ciently thank you for the sup­port we have been receiving from the River State govern­ment since your assumption of office.

“Notably is the launching of the 2026 emblem with the sum of N100 million.

“This extraordinary kind­ness of yours has renewed our hope for we neither have silver nor gold to repay you, but we pray the Almighty God to grant you wisdom and good health to enable you deliver good governance to the people of River State,” he stressed.