Remembering our soldiers

EVERY year, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is held to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers who have repeatedly had to pay the supreme price for securing the oneness and unity of our country. Many governors with President Muhammadu Buhari leading the pack extolled the strength and uniqueness of the Nigerian soldier. In his address, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara lauded the soldiers and called on the Federal Government and various military authorities to prioritise the welfare of our soldiers.

Indeed, we can only imagine the enormous sacrifices that these soldiers pay in ensuring that we live as a unified entity. In their quest to guarantee our territorial integrity, they all left family and friends behind while pushing to ensure that we do not sccumb to external aggression. As important as their commitment to the security of our nation is, through the years succeeding governments at various levels have not prioritised the welfare our soldiers.

It is even sadder to note that the fangs of corruption as reported in the media have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. This, unfortunately, is noticed when one takes stock of the reports of diversion of funds meant for the procurement of sophisticated arms and ammunition meant for the soldiers to fight the war against terrorism as seen in the North. Many soldiers have died after their confrontation with the superior fighting power of the terrorists. It is not enough to salute the courageous spirit of our soldiers but we must equally ensure that we provide all they need to be better soldiers and the longevity of their lives.

The Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, stated that the relevant authorities both in the military and in government should pay special attention to the widows of fallen heroes. This is quite germane. After the death of many soldiers while in active service, their widows find it extremely difficult to get the severance benefits of their late husbands. This should be discouraged in its entirety. We owe our soldiers our lives for the wonderful jobs that they are doing and when they die, their wives, children and other extended members of their families should not be left to suffer. In developed countries, the welfare of soldiers is given maximum attention. We should take a leaf from that. No sane country in the world would play with the welfare of soldiers.

• Nelson Dike, Kuje, Abuja.