Tinubu urges unity as Shettima, others mark Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Tinubu shared these thoughts in a tweet posted on his official X handle to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

He said, “Let us eschew violence and divisive tendencies for a peaceful and prosperous nation. Let us all become ambassadors of peace.

“We can build a future of hope and optimism together, where peace and unity reign supreme. Thank you, and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Tinubu noted that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day allows the nation to express its gratitude and pay tribute to “our ex-servicemen and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and other nations.”

“Our nation is in dire need of peace, and so is the world. As we mark this solemn event today, remember that people laid down their lives, and many still do so, to guarantee our peaceful co-existence,” he added.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima led dignitaries, including members of the diplomatic corps, to the National Arcade in Abuja for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and wreath-laying ceremony.

Shettima represented President Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, as Special Guest of Honour.

Tinubu, who is customarily the Special Guest of Honour, is in the United Arab Emirates for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The ceremony kicked off at 10:07 am with Shettima’s arrival and his mounting of the saluting dais, where he took the National Anthem.

Wednesday’s events included the Last Post, signalled by the bugle in memory of the fallen heroes, prayers by Christian and Muslim clerics, a minute’s silence, and wreath laying, led by the Vice President.

Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of a new FPSO vessel by Oriental Energy Resources Limited in Dubai, UAE [Credit: X | #stanleynkwocha_]

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday called on Nigerians to renounce violence and divisive tendencies, stressing the importance of unity and prosperity for the country.

He reminded citizens that the relative peace they enjoy is due to the sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have laid down — and continue to lay down — their lives to ensure Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Others who laid wreaths were Senate President Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also laid wreaths.

Others who laid wreaths were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima; Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril; and the representative of the Military Widows Association, Mrs Olubunmi Ese-Okiti.