By Cross Udo, with agency report
Widows of fallen military heroes have said they have been neglected and abandoned, especially amid economic hardship and the rising cost of living.
They made the statement yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated annually on January 15 to honour and remember the sacrifices of past and current military personnel.
This came as President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of Nigeria’s armed forces, assuring that the sacrifices of fallen heroes would remain central to national remembrance.
In a message to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day, Tinubu said Nigeria must continue to honour men and women of the Armed Forces who paid the supreme price in defence of the country’s unity, peace and sovereignty.
He extended condolences to families of fallen soldiers, particularly widows and children, describing their loss as immeasurable, while praising serving personnel across land, sea and air for carrying out their duties with discipline and courage, often under challenging conditions.
“As President and Commander-in-Chief, I reaffirm my commitment to the welfare and dignity of our Armed Forces. A secure Nigeria stands behind those who defend it,” Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, the Coordinator, Military Widows Association, Navy Town, Mrs Helen Amodu, said that her late husband’s insurance scheme had not been paid to her after a decade of his demise.
Amodu, who is the wife of the late Capt. F.E Amodu said that being a widow with children to cater for in this present economic dispensation was financially draining and challenging.
“Being the widow of a military personnel is not easy. After your husband dies and the severance package is paid, you will have to leave the barracks to go back to civilian life.
“Facing civilian life outside the barracks is not easy; that is why we decided to come together to form an association to help ourselves.
“The little palliative that comes from the government does not come as often as due, and sometimes we have to beg and cry out before they will answer us,” she said.
Amodu, who has been a widow for a decade, said that she would be grateful if her late husband’s group life insurance were paid to her.
“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 policy to plead with the appropriate authorities to resolve this matter,” she said.
In the same vein, Mrs Yemi Enoch, who has been a widow for seven years, said that she was happy that the celebration was held in remembrance of fallen heroes.
Enoch, however, said that more effort needed to be put in place to cater for the families left behind by the officers and soldiers who died in the course of duty.
“Some of us have children who are still in school or who just left school and mouths to feed; so, whatever help we can get will be appreciated,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State, Mr Akeem Wolimoh, said that the legion had been sharing palliatives every year to military veterans and the widows of deceased military men.
Wolimoh said the Lagos State government had donated 500 bags of 25kg rice and other food items, to be shared in February, to widows and those in need.
He said that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had consistently supported the legion each year during the celebrations, providing funds and palliatives that were distributed to members.
“Since I came into office four years ago, I have distributed rice, live chicken 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,” Wolimoh said.
The chairman also said that there were ongoing plans to empower the children of widows and support them through educational trust funds.
*Shettima, Akpabio, other dignitaries commemorate Armed Forces remembrance
However, speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the peace enjoyed by the nation was sustained by the sacrifices of fallen and serving military personnel, stressing that remembrance should translate into concrete action.
Shettima said the loyalty of the armed forces to Nigeria imposed a moral responsibility on political leaders to ensure improved welfare, morale and institutional support for troops in active service.
“Our fallen heroes gave their all without hesitation. The least the nation can do is to honour their memory by standing firmly with those still serving under our flag,” the Vice President said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the fallen soldiers as patriots whose sacrifices laid the foundation for Nigeria’s continued existence, pledging legislative backing for policies aimed at strengthening national defence and personnel welfare.
Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the armed forces remained resolute in confronting evolving security challenges, noting that efforts were ongoing to enhance training, logistics and operational capacity despite constraints.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade and wreath-laying ceremony was held at the National Arcade, Abuja, with prayers offered by Christian and Islamic clerics for fallen and serving personnel, followed by a minute of silence and artillery gun salute.
