By Bavoriat Clara
The Federal Government has conferred various honours on serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army in recognition of their gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, exemplary leadership and post-service contributions to national development.
The awards were presented during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award in recognition of his selfless service and decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres of operation.
Other recipients of the Service and Sacrifice Award included the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, and the former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, for their exceptional operational leadership and dedication to duty.
Brigadier General Musa Uba was honoured with the Gallantry Award for displaying exceptional courage and leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, while Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for his critical role in repelling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure.
In the area of innovation, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was presented with the Innovation Award for developing and deploying a redesigned ballistic gunboat that significantly enhanced operational effectiveness in support of Operation DELTA SAFE.
Posthumous awards were also presented in honour of fallen officers. Late Colonel B. Umaru received the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Excellence Award for his outstanding intelligence leadership during Operation HADIN KAI, while late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari was conferred with the Fallen Heroes Award for his gallantry and pivotal role in major counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), was honoured with the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award for his reforms and expansion of the Army’s operational capacity during his tenure from 2015 to 2021, as well as his subsequent diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) received the Sentinel of Freedom Award for his contributions to strategic military communication, peacekeeping operations and sustained advocacy for veterans’ welfare, national security and civic values.
Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd) was presented with the Phoenix Award for resilience and exceptional leadership, having continued to render distinguished service despite being wounded in action during counter-insurgency operations.
Also honoured were Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd), who received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for successfully translating military discipline and logistics expertise into a thriving catering and hospitality enterprise, and Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd), who was conferred with the Community Champion Award for his commitment to grassroots development, healthcare support, water projects and youth mobilisation for service in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Service Medal in recognition of his 35 years of meritorious service in the Nigerian Army and his sustained post-retirement community development initiatives.
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event dedicated to honouring fallen heroes, recognising serving personnel and celebrating veterans whose courage, professionalism and sacrifice continue to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity and national resilience.
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