Widows of fallen military heroes decried what they described as years of neglect and abandonment by authorities, painting a grim picture of survival amid Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and rising cost of living.
The widows spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday during the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The annual event, marked every January 15, honours the sacrifices of past and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Coordinator of the Military Widows Association, Navy Town, Mrs Helen Amodu, lamented that more than 10 years after the death of her husband, his insurance benefits were yet to be paid.
Amodu, widow of late Capt. F. E. Amodu, said the burden of raising children alone in the current economic climate had become overwhelming.
“Being the widow of a military personnel is not easy. After your husband dies and the severance package is paid, you have to leave the barracks and return to civilian life.
“Facing civilian life outside the barracks is not easy; that is why we decided to come together to form an association in order to help ourselves.
“The little palliative that comes from the government does not come when due, and sometimes we have to beg and cry out before they respond,” she said.
She added that the non-payment of her late husband’s group life insurance had compounded her hardship.
“At the very least, his insurance is an entitlement and should be paid to his family. This would go a long way in alleviating the suffering and pain we feel after losing our provider.
“I have written letters to the appropriate authorities and even sent letters to the Chief of Naval Staff, but up till now, there has been no response regarding my plea.
“Therefore, I join my fellow widows who are facing this problem of non-payment of our late husbands’ insurance policies to plead with the appropriate authorities to resolve this matter,” Amodu said.
Another widow, Mrs Yemi Enoch, who lost her husband seven years ago, said while she appreciated the remembrance ceremony, support for families of fallen officers remained inadequate.
“Some of us have children who are still in school or who have just left school, and mouths to feed; so whatever help we can get will be appreciated,” she said.
Responding, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State chapter, Mr Akeem Wolimoh, said the legion had continued to provide relief to veterans and widows through annual palliative distributions.
He disclosed that the Lagos State Government donated 500 bags of 25kg rice and other food items, which would be distributed to widows and other beneficiaries in February.
Wolimoh said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had consistently supported the legion during Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations by providing funds and relief materials.
“Since I came into office four years ago, I have distributed rice, live chickens and other food items every year to widows and veterans in need.
“We currently have 387 widows registered with us, and this year, another set of palliatives will be distributed in February in honour of our fallen heroes,” he said.
He also revealed plans to empower widows’ children through skills programmes and educational trust funds to secure their future.
