THERE is a direct correlation between a country’s military strength and its political-cum-economic stability and prosperity, and by extension, its rank in the League of Nations. The military contributed the most to the size of Nigeria’s GDP and economy by keeping the country united in peace with a magnanimous victory of the Nigerian Civil War. From pre-historic to historic and modern times, the rise and fall of civilisations, kingdoms and nations are directly linked to the fortunes of its military in the frontiers of territorial defence and expansion. For example, the Sefawa dynasty that once occupied a large swathe of the North-East of Nigeria was one of the longest-lived in the history of the world, having ruled Kanuri states for about a thousand years. The most apparent factor responsible for the rise, reign and fall of the dynasty was its military conquest.

In recognition of the significance of the Armed Forces to the stability, growth and development of any state, nations all around the world earmark dates to celebrate, appreciate, motivate and showcase their military’s achievements and glory to the admiration of all. Nigeria is not left behind in this event, but we lag behind in our appreciation of the sacrifices of these gallant men and women both late and living. On this note, I feel obligated to stir up national consciousness on the relevance of this season and the subject of celebration.

A child that excelled in school despite the challenges of lack of text books and workbooks, challenges of hunger and torn uniforms, inability to pay his fees as at when due, constantly being singled out to be humiliated and lashed on the assembly ground and afterwards sent home all because his ‘irresponsible’ father is an unrepentant chronic alcoholic and womanizer; such a child is worthy of commendation and celebration. The Nigerian Armed Forces have suffered more deprivation than this as it carries out its duties of:
• Defending Nigeria from external aggression;
• Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation from land, sea, or air;
• Suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the president, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and
• Performing such other functions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. – Culled from the Nigerian 1999 Constitution as amended.

In this season of the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration having the Nigerian Military on the pedestal, it is necessary we recount, even if not exhaustively, the heroics of our soldiers both at home and abroad. For this, permit me to quote from Naira Land Forum: “… Our officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces have fought in various wars and have taken part in many peace keeping operations, defensive duties and internal security duties. These include: The First World War. Second World War, Peace keeping/enforcement operations in the Congo, Tanzania, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Darfur, the former Yugoslavia. Defensive duties including the Bamileke Rebellion, Chadian Rebels (1982/83), Bakassi Peninsula. Internal security duties include the Tiv Rebellion, the Western Region Crisis (1962 to 63), the Niger Delta crisis (1966), the Agbekoya Rebellion, the Niger Delta crisis (1992-1999), the Boko Haram insurgency. Anti-robbery operations include Operation Sweep, JTF, Operation Yaki, Operation MESSA, etc. ”

To all of these missions, we lost a good number of our soldiers. In the early 90s during the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, I was a youngster living in Air Force Base, Kainji; my dad was deployed to Liberia like many other soldiers. And every time the C-130 (a military transport aircraft) flies in from Liberia, a lot of us would run almost three kilometres bare-footed on hot tarred road to the hanger (i.e., airport). Some of us go to see if our fathers have returned from the war, while others, just to satisfy curiosity. The cargos always ranged from military hardware like damaged fighter jets to body bags…soldiers killed trying to restore peace to the West African Sub-region. But the Lord be praised, my dad returned alive.

We have turned a blind eye to their sterling achievements as we fail to give a commensurate appreciation to these folks. The way we treat our soldiers is a function of our perception of their significance to us. We have under-estimated their relevance in our lives that is why some persons can indirectly sponsor insurgency by sharing the resources meant to equip, motivate and maintain the Armed Forces. Both the Government and the governed are guilty.

The Nigerian Population Commission (NPC), as of January 1, 2016 estimates Nigeria’s current population to be 182, 307,178 people. The current size of the Nigerian Military by population, according to Globalfirepower.com is 130 000 active personnel, with a reserve of 32 000. The Nigerian Legion which is the umbrella body for retired soldiers in Nigeria has a membership strength over 300 000. Juxtaposing these figures we can see that the ratio of the Armed Forces to civilian population is approximately 0.07:100 per cent. Ratio of military active personnel and reserve to the civilian population is approximately 0.09 : 100 per cent . And ratio of the entire Armed Forces plus the Nigerian Legion to civilian population, we get 0.25; 100 per cent.

We can deduce from the above that the Nigerian Military is barely a soldier armed with archaic weapons to protect a hundred persons from enemies with more sophisticated weapons. How safe are we? It is solely patriotism that motivates the Nigerian soldiers; they are denied the best equipment and incentives to work with while an organ of the government can single handedly allocate billions of naira to acquire the latest luxury cars every four years. Are these cars meant to be personal or official cars? Where are the ones they have been buying, do they expire every four years or what?

Gumsu, daughter of late military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha tweeted on May 7, 2014, at 5:46 p.m., from her handle @G_sparking: “if insurgency lasts for more than 24 hours, the government has a hand in it.” – May 08, 2014, www.thecable.ng; The Dasukigate gives credence to her claim. The unfolding drama we are told is a tip of the ice berg. Our soldiers are expected to be zombies in executing their duty; court-martial awaits anyone who dares to remonstrate. For example, the dismissed (sacked) soldiers who fled the war front in the North-East because they realised they were lambs for the slaughter.

Every day we lose gallant patriots in battle, sometimes we don’t hear about it. Military aircraft are now death traps falling from the sky without being hit by a ground-to-air missile, or air-to-air missile or any form of enemy attack all because they were refurbished aircraft from less technologically advanced countries like China. We need patriots in government not atavistic career politicians.

It is palpably clear that a large part of Nigeria’s population is oblivious of the existence of the Armed Forces and their contributions to the peace and progress we enjoy. It is abnormal for a person to decide to be a soldier in this perilous time instead of choosing safer jobs. Only a few courageous would stand out and become soldiers knowing that, most likely, they would pay the supreme price for others to live. They were part of the civilian population that decided to give their best for their fatherland and what they get after service is ingratitude from the rest of us. The Armed Forces is the ultimate custodian of the constitution, they sacrifice pleasure, comfort, opportunity to make money, family and friends, so we could have it all. Is it too much to spare a thought for them?

A thought for the Armed Forces should spur us to show appreciation in kind. Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Nigeria has always been a government affair. Our attitude has made the veterans destitute . The legionnaires go around begging for jobs. Where is the private and corporate sector? Insurance companies and banks make huge sums or profits doing business with the life insurance and pensions of soldiers; they care less about their welfare. The financial institutions with mercantile proclivity, lack the milk of human kindness.

How many businesses and individuals have contributed to the material needs of the soldiers battling Boko Haram in the North-East? What we are good at is to criticise any time our soldiers are ambushed and killed. The defeat or success of the Armed Forces is not for the political party in power but for us all. If we know not how to celebrate our soldiers, let us copy from countries we admire, example, Great Britain.

Let this season’s commemoration go beyond the usual, of speeches that fill no stomach, laying of wreath at the tombs of the “unknown soldiers”; what about their families they left behind? And we know the living veterans and their families. Let us go beyond pledges to the Nigerian Legion Funds which hardly trickle down to the legionnaires. If the welfare of the former heads of state and their deputies is the responsibility of the government that billions of naira is annually allocated to them, how much more the legionnaires that are not in the socio-economic stratum of the elite? At present it seems the labours of our heroes past are in vain.

Man was created to work, for in working he is dignified. If President Muhammadu Buhari at 74 years after a meritorious service to fatherland in the military is not tired then, majority of the legionnaires that are younger than he is should be integrated into the employment plans of the government. I call on the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, to look into the plight of the Legionnaires and assist in properly re-integrating them back to the civilian society and create a win-win outcome.
At this juncture, I commend the Federal and state governments for their support to the Armed Forces especially at times like this. I also applaud the suggestion by Governor Rauf Aregbesola when he launched the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem in Osogbo on the January 7, 2016. He advised that the veterans should be put in special police units to assist the Police Force in fighting crime. He also suggested the creation of a Citizens Army in this peace time as a way of reducing unemployment of our teeming youth.

Again, during the AFRD Service in ASO Villa Chapel, on the January 1,2016, Bishop David Bakare, one of the officiating ministers while delivering the sermon, suggested that 10 per cent of all recovered looted funds be used as scholarships for the children of fallen soldiers. He also wants soldiers to be immortalised in the streets of the FCT.

The veterans, legionnaires, retired soldiers, ex-servicemen and women, whichever appellation one wishes to address them, have pledged to Nigeria their country, to be faithful, loyal and honest to serve Nigeria with all their strength, to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory. They kept their pledge. Let us honour them well.

• Gani David can be reached via 08135737958 [email protected]