The annual tradition of gathering to commemorate the sacrifices made by those who served in our military is a solemn and significant moment. The launch of the Armed Forces Remembrance emblem serves as a poignant reminder of the duty we owe to these fallen heroes and the veterans who have valiantly followed in their footsteps. It is a time for deep reflection on how we honour and show respect to these individuals who have given so much to our nation.
Nigeria’s history is marked by the unwavering commitment of its citizens to the military. They have been at the forefront of battles, contributing to the development of infrastructure, and working towards peacekeeping efforts.
Our military personnel have dedicated themselves to keeping the country and its people safe, often at great personal cost. Alongside their families, they have made tremendous sacrifices, and we have to ensure that these sacrifices are acknowledged and appreciated.
While we cannot alter the past, we possess the power to influence the present and the future. How we choose to honour and respect our service members, both in life and in death, is a reflection of our values as a nation. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude for their service and sacrifice, to ensure they receive the care and recognition they rightfully deserve.
This tradition speaks to the enduring commitment of Nigeria to its military and the values of dignity, respect and remembrance. It’s a reminder that as a nation, we can continuously strive to improve how we treat those who have served and the families who have borne their burdens. It’s a call to action, a reminder that the legacy of our brave veterans should be one of honour, respect and lasting gratitude.
Thus, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, launched the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance emblem in honour of the country’s fallen heroes.
The event is organised by the Nigerian Legion annually. The day of the launching of the Armed Forces Remembrance emblem represents a national day of reverence and awareness, honouring those Nigerians who died while defending our beloved country and its values.
While these heroes should be honoured daily by the citizens for the immense contributions they made towards defending and securing our country, we should especially honour them on the Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Speaking at the event which took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, the President said he has approved N18 billion for the Group Life Assurance benefits and other entitlements for the families of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The President restated his administration’s support for the nation’s armed forces to enable them to discharge their constitutional obligations. “I am confident that we shall continue to battle and decisively defeat all the security challenges,” he said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant troops, who have risen to the challenge of securing this great nation.
In appreciation of the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces and to underscore this government’s commitment to their welfare, I have approved the sum of N18 billion for the payment of the Group Life Assurance benefits and other entitlements to the families of service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.”
Many young men and women have served in the First and Second World Wars, peace-keeping operations in many parts of the world and the Nigerian Civil War where many died in these battles and many more got injured.
These efforts and sacrifices made by those Nigerians were made so that the world and Nigeria could be safe and peaceful for citizens and their children. We are enjoying relative peace in Nigeria today as a result of the sacrifices made by our soldiers gone and alive.
Yet, we must continue to show them and their surviving families that we appreciate their sacrifices. One way of doing this is by launching the Annual Armed Forces remembrance emblem to rededicate ourselves to the memory of their sacrifices and their gallant efforts for the rest of us.
Sadly, too, while it is commendable what the President has done for the families of the fallen heroes, it is with great regret that one notes how Nigerians are not doing enough in terms of remembering these fallen heroes, especially in the days leading up to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. It is quite clear that most Nigerians don’t buy and wear the remembrance emblem.
This could either be due to a lack of creation of awareness by the Nigerian Legion, a body responsible for producing and selling these emblems, or Nigerians are not encouraged to buy and wear the emblems.
It should be noted that the money generated from the sale of these emblems goes towards catering for the families of our fallen heroes, our heroes injured/disabled in conflicts and our veterans.
Therefore, while the government is trying its best to tackle the problems faced by the families of the victims, citizens should be encouraged to buy the emblem and, collectively, remember the heroes, especially in the months leading up to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Nigerian Legion should encourage Nigerians to buy these emblems by creating the appropriate awareness on the sale of the emblems, the essence of wearing them and how the money will be used.
The Nigerian Legion should report the amount raised every year and how the funds were disbursed. This awareness can be done through the media and other appropriate channels.
Ideally, Nigerians should buy and wear these emblems with a sense of patriotism and pride. They should see the Nigerian Legion as a charity and emblem sale as a charity event geared towards providing financial, social and emotional support to the families of fallen soldiers, injured servicemen, retired servicemen, veterans and those currently serving in the Nigerian Armed Forces and their dependents.
The Nigerian Legion, through the governments, needs to make these emblems available to Nigerians in the Diaspora as well. Also, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day should be marked in all Nigerian embassies around the world and appropriate awareness created for the Diasporans to attend to pay their respects.
In the end, the governments and Nigerians should assist the victims and their families, especially by way of donating generously to the cause of the fallen soldiers in one way or the other.
