Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Plateau Women Affairs Commissioner Seeks Intervention To The Protection Of Lives
Yakubu Busari
The Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon.Mrs. Rebecca Adar Sambo has said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), 2021 combine with the Covid-19 pandemic seeks the intervention of world leaders to protect the sanctity of all mankind as Nigerian mark a total reflection of human sacrifice for the betterment of all mankind.
Mrs. Sambo made this known during a press briefing at the women affairs ministry opposite, Plateau Riders in Jos North Local Government Council and was represented by a Director, Mrs. Charity Dimlong.
She said Remembrance Day, is a public holiday in Nigeria celebrated observed on 15 January to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their positive contribution to the development of all the human race.
According to her, “It also honors veterans 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 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”.
Hon sambo explained further that the common celebrations of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration are an annual event organized to honor members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and its veterans.
The would kick start on 12-12-2020 with a briefing, then a 15-12-2020 emblem appeal fund launched by the Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong,8-1-2021 Jumaat prayers at the central mosque,10-1-2021 interdenominational church service and 15-1-2021 grand finale of laying of a wreath at foot of the unknown soldier.
Events are held at the government house Rayfield, 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.
Special prominence is also given to the Nigerian Legion, a veterans association that organizes many events on this day alongside the government.
Commemorations by year.
In 2021 at the Joseph Gwomwalk Secretariat roundabout will be commensurate was inaugurated as a place for laying of wreath to the 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.
2021marked the golden jubilee of the war’s end. The week of that anniversary, Nigerian announced plans to allocate funds to support families of fallen soldiers. The Centre for Memories in Plateau state (focused mostly on preserving the wreath as history and culture) premiered a documentary on AFRD titled January 15, 1970: Untold Memories from the Nigeria-Biafra War.
