The Defence Headquarters has announced a change in the name of Armed Forces Remembrance Day to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
The development was confirmed on Thursday in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba. According to him, the renaming is intended to reflect the dual purpose of the annual event, which is to celebrate serving personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria while also honouring those who lost their lives in defence of the country.
Uba explained that January 15 remains the officially designated date set aside by the Federal Government to recognise the contributions of active military personnel and to remember fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as well as the lives and property of citizens.
He noted that the commemoration is usually preceded by a week-long series of activities and culminates in a grand parade and wreath-laying ceremony on January 15.
The Defence Headquarters also urged media organisations to adopt the new name in all future reports and coverage, describing the adjustment as a more accurate reflection of the essence of the occasion.
Traditionally observed on January 15, Armed Forces Remembrance Day has largely focused on fallen soldiers, with wreath-laying ceremonies held nationwide. The renaming underscores the military’s effort to balance remembrance of the fallen with recognition of serving personnel.
