Malik Yahya/
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a N200 million donation to the Nigerian Legion, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of serving military personnel, wounded officers, veterans, and the families of fallen heroes.
The donation was made today at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal Launch held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, also donated N100 million on behalf of the National Assembly. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, added another N20 million, bringing total pledges at the ceremony to N320 million.
At the event, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Akpabio, Kalu, and the service chiefs were decorated with the remembrance poppy by the Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Morenike Grace Henry.
Tinubu urged government institutions, corporate organisations, and patriotic Nigerians to contribute generously to the Nigerian Legion, which supports military retirees and families of fallen heroes.
“As a grateful nation, we must honour the fallen, support the wounded, and care for all who answered the call to serve,” the President said. “Armed Forces Remembrance Day reminds us of the call to peace and the importance of unity. I call on every Nigerian to reject divisive rhetoric and embrace respect, tolerance, and understanding. Our diversity is a national asset that must be cherished.”
The President commended the Armed Forces for restoring normalcy in many communities and achieving significant progress in the fight against insecurity.
“Under my administration, we have entrenched collaboration among security agencies and recorded substantial gains. Tens of thousands of insurgents have surrendered, key terrorist leaders have been neutralised, and many captives have been freed,” he said.
Tinubu also noted improvements in maritime security, citing reductions in oil theft, piracy, and illegal fishing, as well as enhanced naval capabilities. He reiterated his commitment to equipping and motivating the military, describing security as the “central pillar” of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted various welfare improvements, including enhanced allowances, upgraded barracks, strengthened healthcare, expanded Defence Health Maintenance Services, and modernised pension verification systems using BVN and NIN integration.
Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the President for improved hardware, training, and better support for wounded officers and bereaved families.
“When we wear this emblem, we say to our veterans, ‘Nigeria remembers you.’ When we support the appeal fund, we affirm that Nigeria cares,” Oluyede said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, emphasised that Remembrance Day honours the courage of men and women who sacrificed their lives for the nation, while celebrating serving troops confronting terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
“In many locations once marked by conflict, children have resumed school, markets have reopened, and families are rebuilding with dignity,” he said. “Behind every secured territory stand men and women whose courage defines our national character.”
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15 to honour Nigeria’s fallen soldiers and celebrate its veterans.
0Related posts:
Interrogating Two Years of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Under President Tinubu
Internal Security Dynamics and the Imperative of a New Policing Thought in Nigeria
Cashless Nigeria: Why Emefiele May Lose the War – Femi Kusa …Musings on Buhari, Tinubu, Peter Obi, CBN
Armed Forces Rememberance Day: PSNAFSA Urges Nigerians to Remember Fallen Heroes, Families
Elections and the Role of the Nigeria Police Force in the Electoral Process – Solomon Arase
FG Presents Buhari’s Scorecard