Today, we are celebrating our fallen heroes who laid down their lives for our great country.
Incidentally, this comes at a time when the world is bitterly mourning the death of Nabeeha, the captivity of her sisters, and other innocent Nigerians who are in captivity or who have been killed or maimed over the years.
Nigeria is a great country blessed with both human and non-human resources but plagued by insecurity amid other economic quagmires that have heightened in recent days.
Amid these turbulent situations, we have gallant soldiers who have been sacrificing for the safety of Nigerians, paying their due to secure the country but seems their good deeds remain unrewarded, hence, the need for a call to action on the part of the government to ensure that these heroes get their reward while they are alive rather than just honouring them when they are no more.
For instance, the awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces include various medals, service ribbons, ribbon devices, and specific badges which recognise military service and personal accomplishments of members of the US Armed Forces. Additionally, the military provides notable compensation benefits, ranging from paid vacation to retired-pay plans that beat those many private-sector employers offer. It also offers free or reduced-cost housing, a host of special and incentive pay, free financial and tax consultations, and more. Nigeria can adopt these as well as other rewarding systems to motivate our gallant soldiers while they’re alive and their loved ones, respectively. This will enable them to give in their best to their fatherland.
Yet while we acknowledge the bravery of our Armed Forces we must also acknowledge the brutal and painful losses felt by our people.
Today, therefore, must be in remembrance of our fallen heroes and the many unrecognised military personnel giving their best to secure Nigerians.
May today engender us to fight harder for the lost souls and to do more to care for our Armed Forces while they live.
Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Kogi Central
15 January, 2024.