TuesdayRapAround: Oh, That Our Gallant Officers May Not Die In Vain

Oh, That Our Gallant Officers May Not Die In Vain By Michael Ayotunde

January 15 is the date that has been set aside to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Of course, January 15 was chosen being the day Nigeria Civil War came to an abrupt end.

It is a day set aside to honour the fallen heroes. The very people who have paid the ultimate price while defending their fatherland.

No doubt, many of them have been sent to the great beyond; how and why should we forget them and their labour of love to our fatherland?

The resonance of the deaths of these officers has rekindled their appreciation for the sacrifices these gallant men and women have made to secure the nation.

It is of note that many of these soldiers remain largely unknown, except perhaps to their family members and friends. And for all these soldiers, the tomb of the unknown soldiers symbolizes their gallantry and the sacrifice they made for the country.

To this end, it is difficult if not impossible to give accurate account on the number of officers Nigeria has lost (figures that are usually released, especially after any battle by military authority, can no doubt be realistic), particularly in the wake of Boko haram insurgence in the North East.

Many of them that were fortunate to scale through the pangs of death are however still with us till date; but not without life-threatening scars – wounds that regularly reminds one of those dark days.

As such, activities preceding January 15 has become a yearly ritual. It is not uncommon to see the president, who also doubles as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces, the vice president, Senate president and even governors in the respective states to lay wreaths as a sign of honour to the departed officers.

Remembrance on such occasion is no doubt, welcome. In fact, it goes a long way to reflect on the wonderful works men and women of the armed forces have done and are still doing to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. But what is not in good taste is: as the dead are being celebrated, what is the government, and indeed other relevant agencies doing to make life worthwhile for men of the armed forces that have retired, and those who are still in active service.

We’ve heard cases where allowances of officers in battle front are not being paid as at when due; we’ve heard all kinds of sharp practices by senior officers against junior officers; we’ve heard several promises by the government with nothing to show for it.

In fact, the most visible thing in recent time has always been the one, two minutes silence usually offered at the point of laying wreaths and nothing follows. This, no doubt, is morale killer.

After that, nothing happens again until another year circle is attained. Meanwhile these gallant officers who have served meritoriously are usually denied their entitlement, with many of them losing their lives in the process. Providing for their respective families is a herculean task.

Other challenges include remuneration, pension, allowance, welfare of those in active service and the families,

What do we classify as significance of the day? It’s been said that their services is beyond Nigeria, and so, should be cherished, people should look forward to it as a mark of respect, honour to the gallant officers who during the course of their service to their fatherland, paid the ultimate price.

Unlike what obtains in other countries, especially United State of America, structures were errected with names of all the fallen heroes boldly written such that people can go there and say oh, I recognize this name, I recognize that and in a way, it is a source of pride to the people. But in Nigeria, the case is usually UNKNOWN soldiers. You never hear names, be it in epithal or whatever.

The question is what stops the government to have a befitting arcade with the names of all fallen heroes, a place that can be turned to a tourist destination?

The whole thing still boils down to the perpetual deceptive tendencies on the part of the leaders, authorities to hide vital information from the people.

It is not surprising that history, which ideally should be the focal point of our national life is being discouraged, and taking away from the people. But the truth of the matter is when people don’t know their history, when they don’t know where they’re coming from, how do you expect them to really prepare for the future?

Activities on a day like this should go beyond the eye service and rhetoric of laying of wreaths, by people who obviously care less about those still in active service.

Several months of unpaid salary arrears, pension, allowances are few examples. The welfare of these men should be of greater priority and or concern to the government. They shouldn’t be left in the hands of the Nigerian Legion. They should form part of senior citizens, while their welfare is also adequately taken care of.