Armed Forces Remembrance Day

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The Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), also simply known as Remembrance Day, is observed on 15 January to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It also honors veterans of the World War I and II as well as the Nigerian Civil War. Being a former British colony, Remembrance Day was formerly celebrated on 11 November as Poppy Day in honor of the end of the First World War. Upon the government victory, against Biafran troops on 15 January 1970, "the day, the instrument of surrender [1] was handed over to Olusegun Obasanjo by Philip Effiong of the Biafran army", hence, 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 the unity of Nigeria. [2]

Contents

Common celebrations

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event organized to honor members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and its veterans. Events are held at the federal, state and local levels. Over two months prior to 15 January, the Ministry of Defence inaugurates a 25-man national planning committee for the AFRD celebration preparations. Military parades often involve the participation of a guard of honour from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force. The peak of all events held is the wreath laying ceremony done by the President of Nigeria at the National Cenotaph in Abuja's Eagle Square. 36 federal cenotaphs are also places where special AFRD ceremonies are held. [3] Special prominence is also given to the Nigerian Legion, a veterans association which organizes many events on this day alongside the government. [4]

Commemorations by year

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References

  1. ↑ "Text of Biafran Surrender". The New York Times. 1970-01-16. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  2. ↑ Juliana Taiwo "This Day" Beyond Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration [ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Nigeria: Armed Forces Remembrance Day". allAfrica.com. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  4. ↑ "Nigeria: Celebrating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day". allAfrica.com. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  5. ↑ "Nigerian Army inaugurates Guards Brigade cemetery". Chronicle. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Buratai opens Guards Brigade cemetery". Vanguard News. 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  7. ↑ "'My brothers came home looking like skeletons'" . Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  8. ↑ "Nigeria's civil war 50th anniversary, a reflection". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  9. ↑ "Nigerian Authorities to Financially Support Families of Fallen Soldiers | Voice of America – English". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  10. ↑ "Nigerian Catholics reflect on 50th anniversary of Biafran War". National Catholic Reporter. 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
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