Armed Forces Remembrance Day: War veterans, wives of fallen heroes lament neglect despite promises

• Why I can’t let my children join Army, by 76-year-old retiree
• Widows decry abandonment by state govt
• Prioritise personnel’s welfare, Peter Obi urges FG
• CISLAC wants national recognition for families of slain servicemen
• Shettima represents Tinubu, joins Akpabio, others to lay wreaths

War veterans, military retirees and wives of fallen heroes have urged federal and state governments to step up efforts towards improving their welfare. Their appeal also received backing from prominent Nigerians and civil society organisations (CSOs).

The demands were made as the country yesterday marked the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. A group of widows, under the aegis of “Wives of Fallen Heroes in Lagos State,” decried neglect by the state government during the event held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Mrs Oluwaseyi Iliya criticised the government for failing to provide meaningful support to the widows of military personnel who died in service.

“Since we have been celebrating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we have not had any direct impact from the Lagos State government,” she said. “The only attempt was in 2024, where provision was made for just 10 widows. Since then, we have only heard empty promises.”

Iliya recounted how some widows were provided foodstuffs, camp gas, and grinding engines during the 2024 initiative but noted that no further support had been offered since.

“Military widows are suffering. If the armed forces have abandoned us, we don’t expect the state government to abandon us as well,” she added. Iliya also lamented that efforts to meet with the state government had been unsuccessful, stressing that military widows deserved to be honoured for the sacrifices their husbands made for the nation.

“Most of our husbands died in the North-East while serving their fatherland, and now that they are no more, their families have been abandoned,” she said. “None of us has been empowered since we started celebrating this memorable day.” She further noted the economic challenges facing military widows, emphasising their struggles to provide for their families.

However, in an interview with reporters, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat urged Nigerians to contribute to the welfare of the families of fallen heroes. Speaking to journalists at the event, Hamzat encouraged well-meaning citizens to support the widows and their children.

“Nigerians can take some of these children and be responsible for their education, training, and provision of other needs,” he said. Also, retired military officer and civil war veteran Col Nasiru Salami criticised the poor treatment of Nigerian Army retirees by military authorities.

Speaking yesterday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the 76-year-old recounted his experiences and challenges as a veteran. Salami, who enlisted in the Nigerian Army in October 1967, narrated how he was deployed to the Biafra war front six weeks after training.

Serving on the battlefield for 11 months during the Civil War (1967–1970), he suffered a severe injury to his right foot, which required the insertion of plastic materials to augment the damage. Despite his injury, Salami returned to the battlefield to continue fighting.

Now the Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, Salami expressed disillusionment with the treatment of retired soldiers, saying he could not encourage his children to join the Nigerian Army.

“For now, I will never recommend any of my children to join the Nigerian Army,” he said. “They see me now and know my life is not to their expectations. They would want me to be happier and more fulfilled. How would I encourage them to join the army?”

Salami added that he advised his children, including two graduates, to consider the Navy or Air Force instead, as he believes personnel in those branches receive better treatment.

The veteran revealed that the Nigerian Legion in Lagos has over 24,000 members, many of whom, like him, are yet to receive their war bonuses more than 50 years after the civil war. He also complained about unpaid pensions and other post-retirement benefits.

“We are asking for war bonuses, those of us who fought the war. I retired in December 1983, and they promised us heaven and earth. But up till now, we have not seen it,” he said.

Salami appealed to the Federal Government to fulfil its promises and improve the welfare of war veterans, emphasising the need for better treatment for those who sacrificed for the nation.

This came as the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, called on the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare of military personnel.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi urged the government to ensure access to quality healthcare for military personnel and their families and education for their children. He stressed that these measures would inspire greater commitment and dedication to building a safer and better Nigeria.

“These essential measures will inspire greater commitment and reinforce their dedication to building a safer and better Nigeria,” he said. Obi, Notwithstanding, praised the military for their courage and sacrifices, acknowledging their efforts in ensuring the nation’s peace and security.

“Today, our dear nation commemorates Armed Forces Remembrance Day; a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring our fallen military heroes, veterans, and active service members,” he wrote.

“I join millions of Nigerians in expressing profound gratitude to these gallant individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the peace and security of our beloved nation.

“I also extend my heartfelt encouragement to our active-duty military personnel stationed on various frontlines, bravely combating the scourge of insecurity across the country. Your sacrifices are deeply appreciated.

“As we face these challenging times, I urge you to remain steadfast and resolute in your noble mission to secure the future of our nation,” he added.
Similarly, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) called on the Federal Government to grant national recognition and support to the families of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.

The organisation specifically urged the government to prioritise the prompt payment of benefits and pensions to the families of deceased service members, noting that delayed payments could add to the grief and hardship faced by these families.

In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Rafsanjani, the Centre called on the government and all stakeholders to demonstrate a lasting commitment to honouring the sacrifices of these heroes.

This, according to him, includes ensuring that the entitlements due to their families are paid without delay and implementing sustainable support structures for their dependents.

“While we celebrate the courage and selflessness of our fallen heroes, it is essential to go beyond symbolic gestures. Their families, who continue to bear the burden of their loss, deserve tangible support and recognition. It is not only a national duty but a moral imperative to ensure these families are cared for with dignity and respect,” Rafsanjani stated.

CISLAC, while urging the government to adopt a proactive approach in addressing the welfare of families of fallen heroes, demanded a comprehensive empowerment initiative to equip widows of deceased servicemen with the skills and resources necessary to become self-reliant.

It also advocated for scholarships and educational support programmes to ensure that the children of fallen heroes have access to quality education and opportunities to build a brighter future.

“Our fallen heroes have paid the ultimate price for the peace and security we enjoy today. Their sacrifices must not go unrecognised, and their families must not be forgotten. Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a call to action for us all to uphold the legacy of these brave men and women by supporting their loved ones in every possible way,” Rafsanjani added.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu as the special guest of honour at the national arcade in Abuja, where the Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade was held to climax this year’s celebrations.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a yearly event organised by the Ministry of Defence to honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace support missions worldwide, and various internal security operations.

The event also marks the end of the Nigerian Civil War, which concluded on January 15, 1970. Initially commemorated on November 11 alongside other Commonwealth nations, Nigeria later designated January 15 as Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Shettima, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, stood in for Tinubu, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).

Dignitaries at the parade included Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa; service chiefs; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who represented Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Others in attendance were Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; and members of the diplomatic corps.