Buhari, Osinbajo, others honour fallen heroes

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, led other top government functionaries, including Service Chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps to honour the Nation’s fallen and living heroes.
The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade, was one of the highlights lined up to celebrate the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC).
First to lay the wreath was the President, followed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives and Chief Justice of Nigeria.
In another order, the Minister of Defence, Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi and his Federal Capital Territory counterpart, Malam Mohammed Bello laid the wreaths.
Thereafter, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, performed the exercise.

Other dignitaries who also performed the wreath-laying ceremony are representatives of the members of the diplomatic corps as well as Nigerian Legion and widows of late officer/soldiers represented by Mrs Ladi Umar.
Mrs Umar is the widow of late Major S. K. Umar, who lost his life on December 17, 2015 while defending his fatherland against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
Buhari, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeon as a symbol of national peace.
The celebration started with series of activities including Jummat prayer on January 8 at the National Mosque and Interdenominational Christian service on January 10.
Friday’s event marked the climax of the 2021 AFRDC, which started with the inauguration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund where the president appealed to Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardise the unity and progress of the nation.
Buhari, who arrived at the venue of the event about 10.02 a.m, led Osinbajo, the leadership of the National Assembly, and the Judiciary as well as Ministers and Service Chiefs to lay a wreath at the Arcade.
On arrival, Buhari, in the company of the Parade Commander inspected the parade by the Army, Navy, Airport and the Nigerian Legion.
Special prayers were offered by both Christian and Muslim military clerics for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes.
The Director, Army Chaplaincy Services (Roman Catholic), Rev. Father B.B. Passau and Director, Chaplain Services (Protesters), Nigerian Navy, Navy Cpt. B. M. Ajayi offered the Christian prayers while Director, Army Islamic Affairs, Brig.-Gen. S.G. Mustapha offered the Muslim prayers.
The clerics also prayed for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic, insurgency, banditry, other violent crimes, and also prayed for the general progress of  the country.
The event also witnessed the bagel of the last, a unique but symbolic aspect of the ceremony that reminds veterans of their departed colleagues and the families of the fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price.
It was observed that after the one-minute silence for the fallen heroes, Buhari and Vice-President, Senate President, Ahmad Lawal and the Speaker, House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamiala laid wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldiers.
The Commander, Guard Brigades, invited the president to sign the anniversary register after which he was supported by the other dignitaries to release some white pigeons to signify peace in the land.
COVID-19 protocols, as laid down by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus, were strictly observed at the event which lasted for about an hour.