By Henry Umahi

On January 15 every year, Nigeria honours and remembers her brave military personnel who have died in service to the country. It is a day of reflection and gratitude for the sacrifices of our fallen heroes.

As Nigeria celebrated the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, 2024, institutions, corporate bodies and individuals were encouraged to support the families of fallen heroes in the country. The stakeholders noted that the fallen heroes have sacrificed their lives for the country’s unity and peaceful coexistence, hence, their dependants need to be supported in any way.

At the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, Imo State, Gov. Hope Uzodimma appealed to the civil populace, especially private school proprietors, to assist the children of deceased soldiers by awarding scholarships to them as a way to cushion the effects of the loss of their breadwinners.

He said: “Beyond the annual observance, there is need to focus on the significance of the fallen heroes who sacrificed and laid down their lives for others, for the peace and continued existence of our country, Nigeria, as one entity,” noting that “the sacrifice is the highest form of patriotism for which we can never repay them enough.”

“Patriotism is the love of one’s country. These Nigerians we are remembering today loved Nigeria unto death,” he added and asserted that “we have various contributions to make to demonstrate our love for Nigeria.”

“Nigerians need to do all within their powers to support the families of the departed gallant soldiers. The support could be physical, through monetary assistance, emotional, through kind words of consolations and encouragement, hence, the need to be with them, to reassure them that their husbands and fathers did not die in vain.”

The governor added that “Imo people owe the security agencies immense gratitude for helping us to battle insecurity.”

Widow of a fallen hero and chief executive officer of Beracah Economic Empowerment Foundation and Beracah Widows Arise, Mrs. Maria Ifeoma Emmanuel, said that families of fallen heroes should not be neglected or abandoned. She argued that, if the families of fallen heroes are treated well, the living heroes will be more committed to their responsibilities.

Mrs. Emmanuel said the best way to remember and honour fallen military heroes is to treat their families with dignity because their breadwinners died in defence of the country. She lamented the inability of fallen heroes’ families to get their entitlements, stressing: “Accessing insurance claims of a fallen hero is a motivator for the living hero.”

She said that military men were like other human beings, with flesh and blood, dreams and aspirations, even as they also enjoy the companionship of their spouses and children.

Mrs. Emmanuel said: “In Nigeria, we have widows of these great men who sacrificed so much to ensure we all sleep with our eyes closed telling tales of woe as a result of non-payment of military group life insurance claims meant to cushion the effects of losing a breadwinner.

“There are widows whose husbands’ group life insurance benefits have been withheld for many years after their death. We shouldn’t forget the military live in a secluded area (barracks), meaning their wives are tailored to certain lifestyle, living in a disciplined environment catered for.

“But at the death of her husband, they must vacate the barracks to start life in a new environment, learning to live with people who have different orientation. Life definitely outside the barracks for a widow is pretty expensive. Paying rent, utility bills and changing of school, among other things, unlike when some bills were deducted from husband’s salary.

“Without government compliance in a widow accessing the group life insurance claims, how is she going to cope with her children? Apparently, it has become a necessity she gets paid to assist her in the reality of her present status.

“Most military wives are sit-at-home mothers, while their husbands are often at the battlefield. Military men prefer their wives not working so as to pay full attention to the nurturing of their kids. This evidently manifests in the difficulties they encounter in embracing life again without their husbands, as widows.

“They start from scratch to learn how to have a sustainable economy to support their children, which sometimes comes with losing money at first. So, a widow needs all the money and support she can get in this transition.

“For a living soldier, this might send a wrong signal affecting his level of commitment to duty. They see the difficulties their late colleagues’ wives and children encounter as a result of insurance money not paid to them.

“Soldiers would want to take their fate in their hands by getting involved in illicit deals that could lead them to financial gains to be economically balanced for their family, in case of eventuality.

“The end result of negligence of not implementing policies at workplaces is corruption and disloyalty. A soldier abandons his call to duty in quest for wealth so that, when he’s fallen, his family will be well cared for with his accumulated wealth, because those who died and whose consolation for their death is group life insurance are not paid.

“I challenge the government that, as another Armed Forces Remembrance Day comes, let the tears and the suffering of fallen heroes’ widows and children motivate them to direct resources more towards sorting out affected families whose husbands’ group life insurance money has not been paid.”

Anthony, son of a fallen heroe, said while it is no longer possible to be kind to someone that has passed away, the authorities and society can be kind to their memory and their family members by extending kindness and empathy to them beyond the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“Public spirited-individuals and organisations should donate to a charity that supports military families, particularly at this time when the cost of living is so high and people are being trampled to death while looking for what to eat. Families of fallen heroes really need help now. Give their families succour; that is the best way to remember and honour them,” he said.

Public affairs analyst, Mazi Cyril Okemuo, added another angle to remembering our fallen heroes. He opined that it should include memorial events.

Okemuo said: “Participating in parades, speeches, and candlelight vigils creates collective moments of remembrance.  Visiting and maintaining memorials dedicated to fallen heroes preserves their legacies. 

“Sharing their stories through books, documentaries, and educational programs helps others learn about their bravery.  Engaging in community service in their honour continues their mission of making the world better. 

“Observing moments of silence on significant anniversaries allows one to reflect on their sacrifices.  Creating or enjoying artistic tributes, like paintings and music, powerfully expresses gratitude and keeps their memory alive.”



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