By Okosun Dennis
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has re-emphasized his administration’s commitment to continually support the welfare needs of families of fallen heroes and military veterans in the state.
He spoke through the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat on Thursday shortly after wreath laying ceremony in commemoration of 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD), at the National Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
He said that nothing was too big to remember them for, adding that the invaluable services they rendered to ensure peace and unity of the country cannot be undervalued.
AFCRD marked 15th January every year, had the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa; the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral A.A Mustapha and the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Ikeja, Air Vice Marshal A.A Suleh laying wreaths.
Others that also laid wreaths, include the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh and the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council, DCG Akeem Olawale Wolimoh.
Addressing a cross section of the media men, Dr Hamzat noted that “we are here today to remember the Armed forces and our fallen heroes. We pray and encourage our military officers that their sacrifices will never be in vain and we encourage their families that they are remembered.”
“We are using this opportunity to show them that the nation is behind them and praying for them. We would do everything that it takes to support their welfare.
“They are fighting and risking their lives to protect all of us and must reciprocate that gesture.”
Responding to a question on the specificity of help rendered to the widows of military veterans, Dr. Hamzat remarked: “What we do for them is not something I should be discussing here in camera. If we assist people, we should not be saying that in camera. It is not cultural and it’s wrong.
“This is something we do behind the scene. We gave them N100m, some two bedroom flats, two utility vehicles and 500 bags of 25kg rice. How they share it is strictly up to them. That is not a question you should ask me but ask them. How they distribute it is up to them,’ he reiterated.
Acknowledging the invaluable support from the Lagos State Government, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, DCG Wolimoh, said Nigerian Legion has the responsibility of taking care of veterans and their welfare and their widows.
He explained that they leverage on palliatives and financial donation from the government to assist the widows.
He disclosed that currently, there are 387 widows in their list and would be giving palliatives to them at an event that would be held on the 3rd February, 2026.
In addition, they conduct training and empowerment programme for the widows.
“For the children, we are going to do a random selection whereby we support them with education funds for those in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
One of the widows that spoke with our correspondent, Mrs Enoch Yemi appealed to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas to use his good offices to pay her husband entitlements who died about seven years ago.
“We are suffering and we enjoin the military to do more for the widows. Our husbands have paid the supreme price defending the nation. In similar vein, the federal government and the military should defend their families by paying their insurance and other entitlements so that we can survive the sad reality facing us,” she explained.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFCRD) is an annual event organized to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who fought in the 1st and 2nd World Wars; the Nigerian Civil War, and those who served and those still serving in Internal Security Operations and various Peace Support Operations worldwide.
The day is to celebrate both the dead and the living heroes, including those who suffered various deprivations as a result of war.
AFCRD was initially marked on the 11th November every year. However, due to some significant historical development in Nigeria, it is celebrated on the 15th of January.
The change was done in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15th January, 1970, hence, signaling the end of Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of this country.
Thus, this has become a national ritual, on every 15th January nationwide, Civil Authorities, military personnel and Legionnaires converge in different centres across the nation to celebrate the day.
They give honour to the fallen and living heroes who have faced hazards and continue to expose their lives to danger for the defence of the territorial integrity of our nation and for peace to reign worldwide. The event is held at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.
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