The 10th line of Nigeria’s National
Anthem reads thus; ‘the labours of our heroes past, shall never be in
vain’. Given this, one would expect that indeed the heroes on whose
blood, sweat and back this nation was built, would not be forgotten. The
opposite however, seems to be the case.
Nonetheless, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), is marked
every year, on January 15, as a day set aside to celebrate the fallen
heroes, who died in the line of duty while fighting to ensure the
territorial integrity of the nation, whether on land, air or water is
not breached or tampered with.
This year is no different. As the nation
makes the remembrance today, one thing remains the crux- the welfare of
soldiers and men, who are at the forefront in the war against
insurgency in the North-east, herdsmen killings in the Middle-belt,
Militancy in the South-south and other pockets of violence that has been
rocking the nation simultaneously.
History
The
Armed Forces Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is celebrated every
January 15. It was formerly celebrated on November 11 of every year to
coincide with the Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) for the World War 11
veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations, but it was changed to
January 15 in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran
troops to the federal troops on January 15, 1970, thus concluding the
Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria
Significance
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration as an annual event
organised to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who fought for
the nation, and those who served or are still serving in various peace
support operations worldwide, as well as those who fought in the
Nigerian civil war, is quite significant.
This is because the day is mapped out to
celebrate both the dead and the living heroes, including all those who
suffered various deprivations as a result of wars. Annually, this
national day celebrates military personnel including the Nigerian Army,
the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Legion. They
all converge on different centres across the nation to celebrate the day
and give honour to the fallen and living heroes who risked and continue
to risk their lives for the territorial integrity of the nation.
The event is held at the federal, state
and local levels where either serving military officers reside or where
living ex-service men occupy.
Symbolisms
In commemorating the day, several military traditions are strictly
adhered to. Whether marked at the federal, state or local level, some
symbolisms are sacrosanct and they include the release of pigeons to
symbolise peace, placing of wreaths, playing of the last post,
Remembrance Day parade, shooting of guns. Besides the above listed, the
event also witnesses religious services in both mosques and churches
nationwide.
At the parades, the military personnel
are usually kitted in diverse colours typical of their services be it
navy, air force, army or ex-service men.
Preparations
A while back as October 2018, the federal government set the ball
rolling in preparation for the event. Accordingly, the Ministry of
Defence (MOD) had last year inaugurated a 25- man national planning
committee as part of preparations to celebrate the 2019 AFRD
celebration.
The Permanent Secretary MOD, Mrs. Nuratu
Batagarawa, while inaugurating the committee, had explained that the
event was in honour of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who had
laid down their lives in the defence of territorial integrity.
Batagarawa said the servicemen and women
were also being honoured for promotion of global peace as well as those
who had suffered setbacks as consequence of their participation in war.
Prelude
Also the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammed Dan-Ali in a press
conference had outlined the activities lined up for today’s
commemoration.
After the press briefing which he held to herald the 2019 AFRD, the next
line of action was the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Day, which held on
October 19, 2018 at the Legion House, Area 3 Garki Abuja and legion
offices in all states of the federation.
The event involved community service by the veterans as well as empowerment of widows and orphans of fallen heroes.
On October 30, 2018, the emblem launch
was done by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Council Chambers, State
House, Abuja. The launch set things off in motion as the sale of the
emblems was done across the country. Proceeds of the sale of the
remembrance emblem are deposited to the Nigerian Legion, a body of
veterans.
From then to January of 2019,
underground preparations were in full swing, which culminated into the
Jumma’at Service on January 11, 2019 at the National Mosque, followed by
an inter-denominational service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja
on Sunday January, 13, 2019. All these events took place simultaneously
in all the states.
The wreath laying ceremony, which is the
peak of the celebration, will see the president and other dignitaries
lay wreath at the National Cenotaph in Abuja, today. This will also be
done simultaneously by governors in their respective states.
President Muhammadu Buhari while
speaking on the prelude of the AFRD said it forcefully reminds one of
the resolve of the citizens to remain in one united country, Nigeria.
He said: “It also points out the fact
that we had been through a bitter and unfortunate war that led to the
loss of millions of our compatriots and the need to do all within our
powers to avoid a reoccurrence of war.”
While expressing regret on the recent
murder of two young and promising aid workers; Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa
Liman by Boko Haram terrorists, he added, “it is painful that this
happened despite all the efforts of government to effect release of the
two victims. We condemn the callous and cowardly act in its entirety and
call on all citizens and friends to forge a united front against this
common enemy of our destiny.
Once more, I extend the heartfelt condolences of the government and
people of Nigeria to the families and friends of these martyrs.”
The Nigerian Legion
One of the highpoints of each AFRD is
the prominence given to the Nigerian Legion, an association of
ex-servicemen, i.e former members of the army, navy and air force.
The legion was established for the
veterans because after retirement, they often discover that there are no
jobs for them. Thus, the legion helps them to integrate into society.
The law also backs them to operate certain businesses in order to raise
money for its members, or serve as security guards at government
establishments or raise money through the sale of AFRD emblems.
Addressing the Demands
Still at the prelude of the d-day,
Buhari had lent his voice in clamouring for support not just for the
armed forces but also for the legion. He had called on other corporate
organisations to borrow a leaf from the noble initiative as government
alone cannot satisfy all the needs, given her limited resources.
He said: ‘‘Some airlines operating in
Nigeria offer discounts to members of the Armed Forces. This gesture is
commendable and in line with my call for recognition, consideration and
appreciation of our Armed Forces.
I urge more business ventures to chip in by assisting the security forces in whatever way they can.
‘‘As Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion
(Veterans), I wish to pledge my continued support and that of the
Federal Government to the organisation. My appreciation goes to state
governors who are patrons in their respective states for the support
they are giving to the legion. I enjoin them not to relent but improve
on this.”
On what his ministry is doing to improve
the lot of families of fallen heroes, the minister of defence was
recently quoted to have said that he has inaugurated a Defence and
Security Think Thank Committee to analyse and advice the government on
how best to address, threats as well as critically evaluate the security
agencies in handling emerging scenarios.
Outlining the policy reforms embarked on
by the ministry to improve the lives of serving and ex-service men he
said they include the review of the ‘Nigerian Legion Act’, which he said
the ministry has forwarded a bill for the review.
According to him, the bill has provision for institutionalising the
provision for welfare needs of the veterans in line with International
best practices.
On ‘Pension Administration’ he said that
at the root of catering for the welfare of the veterans was the payment
of monthly pensions, adding that to this end, the Military Pensions
Board had continued to deliver on regular pensions, adding that the
periodic verification exercises carried out by the board is to ensure
that sharp practices are reduced to the barest minimum.
Speaking on the ‘Defence Health
Insurance Scheme’ he said the Defence Health Maintenance Limited has
continued to provide health insurance service for veterans, widows and
eligible dependants of the fallen heroes.
On the collaboration between the
Nigerian Legion and National Personal Asset Acquisition Scheme (NAPAAS),
a private sector driven scheme, he said it would afford the
legionnaires the ability to purchase both household and agricultural
commodities at affordable and discounted prices within a flexible and
structured repayment plan across the country.
Welfare of Troops
Another burning issue that the AFRD
usually throws up is the welfare of soldiers, especially those deployed
to the battle front. Each day, reports filter out about the increasing
disenchantment of soldiers in the war front.
In virtually all the areas where
soldiers are battling the Boko Haram insurgency, the main complaints
have been the inadequate welfare packages, obsolete weaponry, weak
tactics and strategy, amongst others. Unsurprisingly, this has led to
low morale among troops, especially with the recent resurgence of Boko
Haram, whose stock in trade now is to invade military bases and units.
Expectedly, with the recent wave of
terrorists who seemingly have more sophisticated weapons than the
troops, cases of soldiers going awol abound. From past reports, the
soldiers had often complained that the terrorists have night vision
goggles, rocket-propelled grenades and bomb-resistant armoured personnel
carriers and trucks.
Sadly, in most attacks on military
bases, these terrorists often make away with military equipment and even
weapons to boost their armoury.
Another major demands by the soldiers is
that of their sleeping conditions and food. According to them, they
often sleep in the open air
because of the inhabitable nature of their make-shift tents. On the
quality of meals, they lamented that it was poor to state the least, in
addition with the lack of potable water they are forced to drink.
In all these, they noted that they might
have made do if only their allowances are paid as at when due, a claim
that the military authorities have refuted countlessly
SOURCE OF THE NEWS: this day live.
Well that is it up there.
Its not enough to say God bless our armed forces,
It is not enough to just wear an AFRD badge and say you are honoring the heroes.
Look for a way to say Thank you.
If you see one today salute him.
Visit a military widow play with her kids, help them do something.if its in your financial power give.
investors and enterpise can offer discount for these guys, you can also donate something.
This heroes are trying.Lets the government to help them in all ramifications, welfare equipment and whatever they will need to carry out their duties.
Many have gone in this act of defending the nation
Do something! say something!
Nigeria ARMED FORCES DAY 2019! long live our heroes.
living or dead, your service remain in our hearts.
Big salute!!!!!!!!
The Armed Forces
Remembrance Day used to be celebrated on 11th November every year,
which, throughout the world, is known as the Armistice Day,
commemorating the end of the First World War. But, with the formal end
of the Nigerian Civil War as a result of the surrender of the Biafran
secessionists on 15th January 1970, the date was changed to mark the
restoration of the unity of the country.
We salute our living and fallen heroes, particularly at this moment when
the security and territorial integrity of Nigeria are being undermined
on three major fronts: the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa,
ISWA, insurgents in the North East; the bandits in parts of the North
West, especially Zamfara State; and the armed killer herdsmen in the
Middle Belt, particularly Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa and Southern
Kaduna.
Insurgency: Dickson urges support for Nigerian military
Almost on a daily basis, we bury fallen heroes. The body-count is
higher than at any other period in our peace-time history, taking Police
casualties into account. The threats that face the nation have
ballooned in number and complexity, and the military forces are being
spread thin, sometimes wastefully, due to unprofessional considerations
by political authority.
How else would one see the nationwide “Operation Python Dance” deployed
for what critics see as selfish political motives?
Again, we have seen an increasing portrayal of the armed forces and
security personnel in manners that suggest loyalty to some vested
interests in the country, rather than the pursuit of the collective
interests of the generality of the citizenry. The danger is that a gulf
is gradually developing between the Armed Forces and the civilian
population.
Moreover, the Army in particular, has become too visible for comfort as
exemplified by its threats to expel UNICEF and Amnesty International, as
well as the recent siege to the premises of the Trust Newspapers for
performing their lawful duties.
Metele Attack: Women mourn fallen soldiers, sympathise with families
While we continue to advocate unflinching support for our armed and
security forces, we call on the Federal Government to rededicate them to
strategies that will win the love and respect of all Nigerians. Their
welfare should no longer be toyed with.
Allegations of poor fighting equipment should be addressed to raise
their morale. The military must be strengthened and supported to enable
them defend us competently.
We wish The Nigerian Armed Forces happy celebration.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/a-day-to-honour-our-armed-forces/
The Armed Forces
Remembrance Day used to be celebrated on 11th November every year,
which, throughout the world, is known as the Armistice Day,
commemorating the end of the First World War. But, with the formal end
of the Nigerian Civil War as a result of the surrender of the Biafran
secessionists on 15th January 1970, the date was changed to mark the
restoration of the unity of the country.
We salute our living and fallen heroes, particularly at this moment when
the security and territorial integrity of Nigeria are being undermined
on three major fronts: the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa,
ISWA, insurgents in the North East; the bandits in parts of the North
West, especially Zamfara State; and the armed killer herdsmen in the
Middle Belt, particularly Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa and Southern
Kaduna.
Insurgency: Dickson urges support for Nigerian military
Almost on a daily basis, we bury fallen heroes. The body-count is
higher than at any other period in our peace-time history, taking Police
casualties into account. The threats that face the nation have
ballooned in number and complexity, and the military forces are being
spread thin, sometimes wastefully, due to unprofessional considerations
by political authority.
How else would one see the nationwide “Operation Python Dance” deployed
for what critics see as selfish political motives?
Again, we have seen an increasing portrayal of the armed forces and
security personnel in manners that suggest loyalty to some vested
interests in the country, rather than the pursuit of the collective
interests of the generality of the citizenry. The danger is that a gulf
is gradually developing between the Armed Forces and the civilian
population.
Moreover, the Army in particular, has become too visible for comfort as
exemplified by its threats to expel UNICEF and Amnesty International, as
well as the recent siege to the premises of the Trust Newspapers for
performing their lawful duties.
Metele Attack: Women mourn fallen soldiers, sympathise with families
While we continue to advocate unflinching support for our armed and
security forces, we call on the Federal Government to rededicate them to
strategies that will win the love and respect of all Nigerians. Their
welfare should no longer be toyed with.
Allegations of poor fighting equipment should be addressed to raise
their morale. The military must be strengthened and supported to enable
them defend us competently.
We wish The Nigerian Armed Forces happy celebration.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/a-day-to-honour-our-armed-forces/
