Rabiu Omaku
The immediate family of the fallen heroes in their effort to keep Nigeria as a united and one indefatigable nation continued to ask pertinent questions about whether the annual Army Day celebration was worth celebrating.
Why were those fallen and surviving heroes forgotten so soon by the Federal Government? The celebration according to family members said there is nothing to rejoice about, our fallen heroes.
The right-thinking citizenry takes a cursory look at the surviving heroes, It were tales of anguish, squalor deprivation stagnation, agony, and denial, we must recall that the majority of our fallen heroes suffered physical challenges and hearing impairment due to the gravity of the war where lives of young old were wasted.
Our fallen heroes have paid the ultimate price in defense of our dear nation, Nigeria, The Armed Forces Remembrance Day which is celebrated on the 15th day of January, every year presents an opportunity to reflect on the loss of friends and former colleagues even as the entire nation grapple with severe economic hardship.
Worldwide, the military is respected. and over time, young men and women chose willingly to serve Nigeria with heart and mind, they pledged to be faithful, loyal, and honest in the service to the motherland.
We remember young men and women who served with all their strength and defended and protected the nation in whatever capacity they found themselves in peace and war.
Some bowed out honourably while others retired home with degrees of injuries with no hospital bills to pay for.
One of the family members in an Interview said their Father who voluntarily retired from service after serving for 11 years 120 days said they traveled from Doma Local Government of Nasarawa State way back in 2000 for the emolument of David Dogara , who is late waited keenly but to no avail for his entitlement
The deceased, according to one army General who met with his family members said he has benefitted from those who fought the Biafra war, after filling all the necessary papers at the Legionaire (Army) Military Pension Board at Kubwa, Bwari, Abuja for years, they are waiting anxiously for their rewards.
Therefore, The Federal Government should be more committed to the plight of fallen heroes and not organizing annual rituals that have no bearing on the lives of those who died in active service.
The Federal Government should think outside the box on how to clear the benefit of fallen heroes.
Others asked, what is the way forward for the surviving heroes who are struggling with numerous challenges on how to keep body and souls.
What are the provisions in place for them, What are the plans for access to health?
According to one of the sons Emmanuel David Dogara,” explained that their father was taken to Military Pension Board situated in Dutse Alhaji, an outskirt of Bwari Area Council whole way from Nasarawa State despite the cost of transportation but to no avail,
As some of the retirees saw us with our father coming out of the car and how we put him on a wheelchair chair They instantly agreed that he should be captured and allowed to go back, and those taken stock of his documents cleared him within 20 minutes.
This after 5 years now, and we are still counting on the payment of hazard allowances and for participating in the Nigeria Civil War”.
