By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
In a rare convergence of remembrance, resolve, and reassurance, the Federal Government used the solemn stage of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to send a clear message to Nigeria’s military: the nation’s defenders will not be left to carry the burden alone.
Speaking at an inter-denominational service held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of serving personnel and their families, describing it as essential to the country’s broader security mission.
According to the Minister, a well-supported military is a decisive asset in a nation still grappling with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
“Our resolve is firm,” Musa said. “Those who secure Nigeria must themselves be secured, materially, morally and institutionally.”
Honouring Sacrifice, Backing the Living.
In a moving vote of thanks, the Defence Minister paid tribute to fallen soldiers and the families they left behind, describing their loss as a permanent mark on the nation’s conscience.
“We honour with deep reverence the brave men and women who paid the supreme price in service to our country,” he said. “Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising military welfare, noting that leadership at the highest level remains central to sustaining morale and operational effectiveness.
Gen. Musa urged Nigerians to work collectively with the government and the Armed Forces to overcome the country’s security challenges, insisting that victory is attainable through unity and resolve.
The spiritual centrepiece of the event was a sermon delivered by Most Rev. Uche Okafor of the Presbyterian Church, Abuja, anchored on 2 Chronicles 32:5–8 and titled “Gratitude, Encouragement and Spiritual Security.”
Rev. Okafor offered a stark reminder of the military’s unique role in society.
“When danger comes, soldiers are sent. When others flee danger, soldiers confront it,” he said, drawing nods from a congregation filled with uniforms and medals.
He urged military personnel not to be discouraged by the weight of their duties, assuring them that their service transcends national boundaries.
“You are not just serving Nigeria,” he said. “You are serving Almighty God and humanity.”
The cleric prayed for spiritual protection over the Armed Forces, calling on them to remain strong, courageous and fearless.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its challenges and that its soldiers would prevail against those who threaten national peace.
In a pointed reminder as the political calendar advances, Rev. Okafor also cautioned the military to remain neutral, professional and patriotic, particularly as the country moved closer to 2027.
The service drew an array of senior government and security officials, underscoring the weight of the occasion.
Present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oloyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, and representatives of the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, lawmakers, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of ministries and parastatals, and the media.
Beyond hymns and protocol, the gathering served as a strategic signal: remembrance is inseparable from responsibility, and honouring the dead must go hand in hand with supporting the living.
As Nigeria marks another Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, the government’s message, delivered from the pulpit and the podium was unmistakable: the welfare of the military is not charity; it is a national imperative.
