President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, January 15, led other top government functionaries, including service chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps to honour the Nation’s fallen and living heroes.
The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade, was one of the highlights lined up to celebrate the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC).
First to lay the wreath was the President, followed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives and Chief Justice of Nigeria.
In another order, the Minister of Defence, Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi and his Federal Capital Territory counterpart, Malam Mohammed Bello laid the wreaths.
Thereafter, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; the Chiefs of Army, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, performed the exercise.
Other dignitaries who also performed the wreath-laying ceremony are representatives of the members of the diplomatic corps as well as Nigerian Legion and widows of late officer/soldiers represented by Mrs Ladi Umar.
Buhari thereafter signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeon as a symbol of national peace.
14wardwego reports that the celebration started with a series of activities including Jummat prayer on Jan. 8 at National Mosque and Interdenominational Christian service on Jan. 10.
Meanwhile, President Buhari, on Thursday, January 14, urged his critics to be fair in criticizing his administration; by considering how the nation was when he took over the realms of power.
He also asked his critics to consider the resources available to the Federal Government under his watch; and what his government had done with the available resources.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President made the call while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The statement was titled “Criticise us fairly, President Buhari appeals to Nigerian elite.”
Apart from the state of the country at the inception of his regime, Buhari also asked his critics to consider the resources available to the Federal Government under his watch while criticising him.
He said, “Those criticising the administration should be fair in terms of reflecting on where we were before we came; where we are now and what resources are available to us; and what we have done with the limited resources.
“We had to struggle paying debts; investing in road repairs; and rebuilding, to revamp the rail; and try to get power.
“This is what I hope the elite when they want to criticize will use to compare notes.”
