Prioritising Welfare Of Servicemen, Legionnaires, Families Of Fallen Heroes

As Nigerians and governments, at the three tiers, come together on January 15 to commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), another opportunity is here to reflect on the perseverance and dedication of serving, retired and departed soldiers in ensuring peace, security and stability, across the country.

  It also brings to mind the need for improved welfare for families of the fallen heroes and the Legionnaires as well as honour for the courage, gallantry and huge sacrifice of men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Legionnaires and the fallen heroes and for the supreme sacrifices of fallen heroes, especially for their doggedness in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity.

   The 2025 AFRD celebration, as in other years, began with the launch of the ARFD emblem and appeal fund, followed by Juma’at Prayers and an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service and would climax on Wednesday with the laying of wreath at the Cenotaph, release of pigeon to fly and parade by Legionnaires and men of the Armed Forces.

  Nigeria’s Armed Forces have recorded quite a number of casualties during internal security operations in the North East, and the North western part of the country, where valiant men and women of the Armed Forces fight to destroy the backbone of Boko Haram insurgents and ISIS terrorists, bandits, among others.

  Beyond words of gratitude, honour, memories and services of the gallant and fallen soldiers, the living beneficiaries of their noble and invaluable contributions owe a duty to spare a thought and contribute to the welfare of Legionnaires and that of the families and dependants of fallen heroes to ensure their living standard is appreciable. The promotion, salaries and entitlements of servicemen should be released promptly.

   The compelling need to support them and their families derives from the situations in which they died and the physical incapacitation, even as Legionnaires have continued to contribute to the growth and development of the nation, with a sense of steadfastness, perseverance and exemplary conduct where they provide excellent services in all spheres of national life. Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, too, deserve commendation and support for remaining steadfast in the task of restoring peace and security in parts of the country. Hence, the federal government must ensure prompt payment of gratuity and pension to the retirees.

  Governments should continue to do all within their powers and resources to adequately cater for the welfare of Legionnaires, improve the capability of the Armed Forces and continue to engage them in training and retraining to improve their capacity to discharge their constitutional roles as well as make lives meaningful for families of fallen heroes and heroines. On their part, corporate organisations, public-spirited individuals and groups should also complement government efforts in this direction. On the other hand, non-state actors waging war against the nation should desist and allow dialogue to prevail for the sake of peace.

   Nigerians should note that one of the best way to reward the Legionnaires, fallen heroes and men of the Armed Forces is to maintain the peace they fought hard to achieve, especially by putting their lives on the line and passed through excruciating ordeals all for the safety of the nation.

   Indeed, Nigeria’s Armed Forces deserve commendation for their fierce battle against insurgency, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the country, also for their dedication to ensuring the unity of Nigeria and for their doggedness in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity. Despite the difficult situations they are operating and the fact that some members of the forces paid the supreme sacrifice to protect the civilian population, they remained undaunted to ensure that they uphold the alliance to the call of duty.

  Whatever is done to make life better for military retirees and families of fallen heroes would go a long way to motivate those still in active service to give their best to the nation. And, supporting the families of the fallen heroes in whatever form is a way of appreciating the efforts of those who laid their lives for the country.