FG inaugurates 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration committee

The Federal Government has on Friday September 20, 2013 in the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja inaugurated the National Planning Committee for the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

The Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Defence, Isma’ila Aliyu while inaugurating the committee said that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Defence to honour fallen heroes who lost their lives in service to humanity during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, Peace Support Operations and to honour veterans alive.

He further explained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was formally celebrated on the 11th of November every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day (POPPY Day) for World War II veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Adding, in order to domesticate the celebration, the date was changed to 15th of January yearly to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

Isma’ila Aliyu reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces have contributed immensely to world peace and development in Nigeria; stressing that the present security challenges in the country enclose additional burden on the military and other security agencies. He also said that the daily sacrifices of these patriotic citizens should be acknowledged through exemplary occurrences such as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration as tribute to them for the gradual return of peace to troubled spots.

The Permanent Secretary on behalf of the supervising Minister of Defence, Labaran Maku inaugurated the 2014 Committee and charged them to work tirelessly to make the occasion a remarkable success.

The Chairman of the Committee, L. M. Banjiram in his remarks said that it is a yearly ritual and a very important occasion observed for fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for the nation and to honour veterans who are still alive. He stated that the inauguration marks the beginning of preparations, planning and execution for the ceremony.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, M. Gayya sincerely thanked the Permanent Secretary for his presence at the occasion, assuring him that they will not disappoint him just as the Permanent Secretary promised to give them full financial and other supports.