.jpg)
The Nigerian Army has pledged to continue to support the families of fallen heroes to ensure that they get all welfare packages.
The Commander, 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Katsina, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, disclosed this on Thursday at the Brigade Joint Cemetery shortly after he laid a wreath for the fallen heroes as part of the weeklong activities to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
According to Ajose, the Nigerian Army has already been running scholarships along with various empowerment and vocational programs meant to better the lives of the children and wives left behind by the deceased officers.
He explained that the occasion is an outreach that starts with a visit to the cemetery to pray for the fallen heroes and their families.
“It’s also a way of reflecting and making people understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the departed heroes,” he added.
In an interview with the guest speaker and former Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Brigadier General Sagir Musa traced the history and importance of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Director of Research and Development Training and Doctrine Command, Minna, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to adequately cater to the welfare needs and professional requirements of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He urged the Federal Government to also continue to initiate ways and means of honouring and appreciating the personnel of the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is an annual event organized to honour fallen and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have been involved in a series of conflicts both at home and abroad.
15th January every year is selected to commemorate the day the Civil War ended and to remember those that laid down their lives in service to their fatherland and to also celebrate the gallant serving personnel and ex-servicemen.
The event is also aimed at commiserating with the families of the departed.
Earlier on Wednesday, a special celebration lecture was conducted at the 17 Brigade Joint Officer’s Mess, Natsinta Barracks, Katsina.
The lecture, according to the Brigade commander, was aimed at promoting togetherness and reminding members of the Armed Forces that they are bounded together in pain and joy.
In addition, the programme was put together for the sake of humanity and for posterity, he said.
Speaking in an interview, the wife of a warrant officer who died last year, Hauwa Mohammed Ibrahim, described family challenges as one of the issues she is facing after her husband’s death.
“My mother was insulted by some Army personnel in charge of the family joint account when we were asked to come for documentation.
“It is only today that I believe my husband died after visiting the joint ce
metery. I am appealing to the Nigerian Army to take care of my children’s education because their late father had during his lifetime never joked with their education,” Hauwa appealed.