Buhari, governors, others salute fallen heroes

• Published date: 16 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday led other senior members of his administration to the National Arcade in Abuja for the wreath-laying ceremony which climaxed this year's Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.

The event, which honours the memory of the nation's fallen heroes, is marked across the country every year, involving a series of activities, including religious services, parades and the wreath laying ceremonies.

The President, who arrived at the National Arcade at 10:05 a.m, was immediately ushered onto the saluting dais for the National Salute.

He also inspected the Guards of Honour, accompanied by the Commander of Brigade of Guards, Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Takuti Usman, to the cenotaph for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Other dignitaries that laid wreaths after President Buhari's turn were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Others were the Ministers of Defence and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi and Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello,; the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, and other service chiefs, as well as Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, representatives of members of the diplomatic corps, and the pair of the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion and a widow of a fallen officer.

The President also performed the symbolic freeing of white doves out of a cage during the event.

This year's wreath-laying ceremony will be President Buhari's last as Commander-in-Chief as he will complete his two-term tenure of eight years in May.

Other government officials at the ceremony were members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), ministers, Permanent Secretaries, amongst others.

Also, Cross River state Governor Ben Ayade said he regularly reflected on the sacrifices of the fallen heroes and even the pains of those still alive.

Speaking after laying the ceremonial wreath to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Millennium Park Cenotaph in Calabar, the state capital, he said: 'Today's Armed Forces...