Nigerian Army Day

The Nigerian Army Day is a holiday and annual event typically held on 6 July in honor of members of the Nigerian Army, especially those that took part in the World War I and World War II as well as those that lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War and the current serving members of the Nigerian Army.^[1][2]

Nigerian Army Day
Observed by	Nigeria  Nigerian Army
Type	Secular/Military
Date	6 July
First time	1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Started by	Federal Government of Nigeria
Related to	Armed Forces Remembrance Day

History

Nigerian soldiers in Somalia, 1993

The history of the Nigerian Army Day is traced back to 1863 when the "Glover Hausas" was formed by the late British War veteran, John Hawley Glover who organized and assemble the freed Hausa slaves to protect the Royal Niger Company from marauding incursions of the Ashantis.^[3] The assemblage of this youth to repel the invasion of intruders marked the formation of the Nigerian Army.^[4] On 6 July was adopted to mark Nigerian Army Day because it was believed that the Glover Hausas, that metamorphosed to the Nigerian Army, were formed on 6 July.^[5] The history of the day can also be traced back to 6 July 1967, the day the Nigerian Civil War began.^[6]

Army Day by year

2013

In 2013, during the celebration in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria declined the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun's request to lay a wreath at the event centre in Abeokuta on the basis of the fact that he was not listed as one of the people to perform the wreath-laying for the fallen heroes.^[7][8]

2015

The 2015 celebration was held at Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram to boost the morale of the Nigerian Soldiers, combating the insurgency and 128 imprisoned members of Boko Haram were released as part of the celebrations.^[9][10]

References

1. "Maiduguri grounded as Generals storm city for Nigeria Army Day". The Premium Times. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
2. "Maiduguri Closed for Army Day Celebration". Thisdaylive. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
3. "celebrating nigerian army at 152". Thisdaylive. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
4. Oyewole, Olusegun (19 February 2012). The History of Nigerian Army - The Missing Link. LuLu. p. 51. ISBN 978-1471604294. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
5. "Nigerian Army @ 152". The Guardian News.
6. "182 Boko Haram suspects freed on Nigerian Army Day". Turkish Weekly.
7. "Drama as Obasanjo declines to lay wreath". The Punch News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
8. "Mild Drama At Armed Forces Remembrance Day As OBJ Refuses". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
9. "breaking nigerian military releases 182 boko haram prisoners maiduguri".
10. "PHOTONEWS: President Jonathan At The 2013 Nigerian Army Day". Sahara Reporter.