Case 1: Captain Uzochukwu was involved in a forward clearing operation to dislodge some bandits that had been terrorising a major highway and causing fear and panic in neighbouring towns. His officers and men carried out reconnaissance mission and provided the intelligence for the successful attack. Unfortunately, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost a leg. He spent five months recuperating in hospital, with at least three major surgeries performed on him. He was glad to be alive but he was sad that his years of active military service was truncated by the injury. He took solace in the fact that the operation was successful, and the bandits were dislodged and neutralised. His mother was already worried sick about his chances of getting a good wife with his disability now, to his consternation. He was proud of himself and his colleagues for the professional efficiency with which the operation was conducted. He had no regrets for committing his life to service of the nation, against all internal and external aggressors or enemies.
Case 2: Flight Lieutenant Musa was happy to fly a Tucano fighter jet in the battle against insurgents in the northeast and northwest regions of the country. He was gratified that the airforce finally had the means and equipment to inflict maximum damage on the enemies of state who were terrorising and killing citizens. In the aftermath of a successful operation and on their way back to base, the Tucano developed a mechanical fault and all five officers on board crashed and died on the spot. His young widow was really in distress, as she wondered how she would bring up their three young children by herself. She had always feared this possibility but prayed it would never be her reality. She has been in tears, inconsolably distraught.
Case 3: Commander Oyebola was actively involved in operations to curtail illegal refineries and bunkering in the creeks of the Niger Delta. On one of their numerous nighttime sorties to intercept a bunkering operation based on intelligence, a fire caused a pipeline explosion and he watched helplessly as some of his men suffered severe burns and some eventually succumbed to their injuries. He sometimes had nightmares about the episodes and trauma of that day, and he would vividly be hearing their screams of pain and he would become very upset at his utter helplessness and sense of guilt for escaping unscathed from the episode. Sometimes, his wife tells him that he screams out in his sleep, with shouts of ‘No, No, No’ and he would wake up, drenched in sweat. His wife had suggested he see a mental health professional for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but he was not accepting any of that. He was not a weakling, he would insist.
Discussion: The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed annually on the 15th of January, honours the sacrifices and service of Nigeria’s armed forces, both past and present. These officers dedicate their lives to safeguarding our nation’s peace and security, often at great personal and emotional cost. However, their huge personal and familial sacrifices often go unnoticed and unappreciated by the majority of the populace.
It is on account of this recognition that the Asido Foundation seeks to extend appreciation to our armed forces in a manner that not only uplifts their spirits but also improves mental health awareness within their ranks, while improving empathy and civic appreciation among Nigerians.
The campaign, which is billed to run for one month, from January 15 to February 15, 2025, seeks to encourage all Nigerian citizens to approach officers and men of the armed forces and appreciate them for their service. They can also take pictures with them and share on social media to encourage more people to get involved in the appreciation campaign. Please tag, using the following three dedicated hashtags (#asidoremembers #armedforcesremembranceday #celebrateoursoldiers).
It is also important to bring to the fore, the emotional turmoil and pain that our officers and their families endure to keep all of us safe. Some of them pay the supreme price with their lives, such as Flt Lieutenant Musa. Others lose a limb, such as Captain Uzochukwu; while yet another group has to live with the emotional trauma of the battles they had been involved in, as we see with Commander Oyebola. There is a lot of shame and stigma associated with mental health issues generally, but especially more so within the Armed Forces.
Conclusion: This campaign by the Asido Foundation is laudable mental health advocacy. By celebrating our armed forces and advocating for mental health inclusion, we contribute to creating a healthier, more supportive environment for those who dedicate their lives to our nation’s safety. Together, we can make the world a better place; one person at a time.
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