President Muhammadu Buahri has launched the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance emblem with a donation of 10 million Naira.
The President launched the emblem on Monday at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said the Federal Government was determined to improve the operational resources of the Armed Forces and ameliorate the suffering of dependents of veteran soldiers.
Coming at a time when Nigeria is facing terror attacks in the north-east, the government sees the celebration as crucial, as the President highlighted the need to support the legions to encourage those alive in the task ahead.
He asked the Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Muhammad Dan-Ali (rtd), to come up with programmes that would enhance the welfare of the veterans in appreciation of their service to the nation.
General Dan-Ali said that the launch of the emblem, held every year, was usually an opportunity to seek ways to improve the operational powers of the Armed Forces and also the lots of dependents of fallen heroes ahead of the remembrance celebration.
President Buhari was decorated with the redesigned emblem, as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion before the commencement of the remembrance ceremony for the fallen heroes.
Senior military officers, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other senior government officials were also present at the event.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration which began on November 11 would be concluded on January 15, 2016 with wreath laying by the military and Heads of the three arms of government – Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.