Armed Forces Remembrance Day
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. In 2024, the name was changed to "Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day". This is to celebrate members of the Armed Forces still serving and remember the fallen heroes thus correcting the notion that the day is meant mainly for the fallen heroes. 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]
Common celebrations
[edit]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
[edit]- In 2017, the Guards Brigade cemetery near Murtala Mohammed Way in Abuja was inaugurated as a place for burying active and retired brigade personnel, as part of an initiative by General Tukur Yusuf Buratai for all army formations to have their own unit cemeteries.[5][6]
- 2020 marked the golden jubilee of the war's end.[7][8] The week of that anniversary, Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osibanjo announced plans to allocate funds to support families of fallen soldiers.[9] The Centre for Memories in Enugu (focused mostly on preserving of Igbo history and culture) premiered a documentary on AFRD titled January 15, 1970: Untold Memories from the Nigeria-Biafra War.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Text of Biafran Surrender". The New York Times. 1970-01-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ Juliana Taiwo "This Day" Beyond Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Nigeria: Armed Forces Remembrance Day". allAfrica.com. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "Nigeria: Celebrating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day". allAfrica.com. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "Nigerian Army inaugurates Guards Brigade cemetery". Chronicle. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Buratai opens Guards Brigade cemetery". Vanguard News. 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
- ^ "'My brothers came home looking like skeletons'". Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "Nigeria's civil war 50th anniversary, a reflection". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "Nigerian Authorities to Financially Support Families of Fallen Soldiers | Voice of America – English". www.voanews.com. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "Nigerian Catholics reflect on 50th anniversary of Biafran War". National Catholic Reporter. 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2020-10-04.