DHQ renames Armed Forces Remembrance Day to honour serving troops, fallen heroes

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has renamed the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day as Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, saying the change better reflects the purpose of the event.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said the new name underscores the dual objective of the occasion: celebrating serving personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces while also honouring those who lost their lives defending the country.

According to the DHQ, the event is marked every January 15 to recognise serving personnel, veterans and fallen members of the armed forces.

“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity, as well as the lives and property of its citizens,” the statement said.

Uba explained that the day is preceded by a week-long programme of activities, culminating in a grand parade and wreath-laying ceremony on January 15.

He added that the former name, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, was officially changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to better capture the essence of celebrating active service members while remembering fallen heroes.

The DHQ also urged media organisations to adopt the new name in all reports and official references.

Last month, President Bola Tinubu launched the emblem and appeal fund for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.