As We Remember The Fallen Heroes

Today is being observed nationwide as
Armed Forces Remembrance Day. It is a day set aside to remember and honour Nigerians who lost their lives in the course of their service to the country and peace keeping operations across the globe. It is also a time to appreciate those discharged and retired.
Indeed, remembering the fallen heroes is the least the nation and Nigerians can do in respect of the supreme sacrifice they make, not only for national unity, but also for the promotion of global peace and territorial protection.
As Nigeria marks this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, it has become imperative for governments to re-appraise the gains of the yearly ritual. This has become necessary as the lot of the dependants of the fallen heroes and Legionaries (retired military personnel from Army, Navy and Airforce) appear to fall short, inspite of the yearly ritual.
For some legionnaires the Armed Forces Remembrance Day now, represents an annual drama that has failed to improve their lot. Indeed, reports of delays in payment and in some cases non-payment of retirement benefits, denial of increment in pension and total lack of care for widows and dependants of the fallen heroes can become a disincentive for the Armed Forces.
We recall that a few months ago, a protest by the Association of Ex-Service men over the partial implementation of a 52 per cent increase in pension was dispersed with very little regard. The association had claimed that only 30 per cent of the increment was implemented.
Interestingly, there is a law establishing the Nigerian legion but obviously the implementation of the law appears to be a challenge. It has therefore become necessary that government takes concrete action to improve the welfare of not only the Legionnaires, but all its retired workers across the nation.
Serving officers do not need any sermon to work towards improving the parlous state of affairs especially as it affects the lives of dependants of dead soldiers. Many Legionnaires do not look like persons that served any country at that level of risk and this is not fair.
While we expect government to re-visit what is due members of our armed forces, we also  note with shock how the ordinary Nigerian and corporate bodies fail to participate in honouring the fallen heroes, even in releasing money for the launching and sales of the emblem.
The nation’s security challenges in the Northern parts of the country and alleged involvement of retired officers and ex-servicemen is instructive and calls for better care for the Legionnaires. Government needs to wake up before more of them sign up for the “anti-government forces.”
Perhaps, it has become necessary at this time to call for the establishment of a department in all the services of the Armed Forces to take care of the needs of the families of the dead and discharged soldiers.
Clearly, the plight of the Nigerian retired civil servant (not just the legionnaire) and the dehumanising processes they pass through to get their entitlement’s speak of a nation that need to take care of the little demands of its people to avoid bigger crisis.
It also creates the impression of nation that has lost respect for her senior citizens. This is because a nation on top of these values would ensure that retired officers do not need to fight again for their due.
While it is commendable for keeping faith with this annual ritual of honouring the fallen heroes, concrete steps should be taken to ensure that they impact positively on the lives of the Legionnaires and dependants of the fallen soldiers.
Society and government, in particular, must take the steps needed to make this people feel appreciated, instead of the feeling of being used and dump. They deserve more than the yearly ritual of a march-past and laying of wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier, these people need to die happy.