President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, in Abuja led the arms of government, the military and Para-military to honour the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony took place at the National Arcade Three Arms Zone which included a parade of the National and three regimental colours of the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
Prayers were offered to all fallen heroes and for unity, security and peace of the nation in both the Christian and Muslim way.
The President laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and was followed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.
Others who were present and also laid wreaths were: the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed;The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gayya (rtd) and the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mrs. Olumba Kombe.
A 21 gun salute was done followed by the release of a pigeons which signifies “freedom, Peace and harmony” for the country.
Other dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers, Presidential aides and members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Nigerian Legion and some of the widows of the departed heroes.
The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Olayinka Oshinowo advised Nigerians to spurn violence and any act capable of instigating war in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Armed Forces Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is celebrated on 15 January. It was formally marked on 11 November of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day for the World War II veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations. But it was changed to 15 January of every year in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970 thus signalling the end of the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria.