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Without a doubt, we have always remembered the sacrifices made by our fallen armed heroes every year. Our hearts break from time to time as a result of the losses inflicted on these military personnel and, by extension, other forces in our country, but the sincerity of our remembrance must be checked, whether it is an activity or a caring action. As it is written in the scripture, all actions will be judged according to intentions. What are our intentions, individually and as a nation, for this remembrance and of our forces, or is it a forced remembrance?
Before a person joins the military, the process is never smooth, the requirements can be tricky, the lifestyle can be unbearable, and the exit can be horrible, except if you have high-rank cover, political backup, or a witty Godfather. Or, else, you must do the unthinkable to survive your stay. Yet, when you exit the system, you are most likely not taken care of and more like a used and discarded item in most cases. This is an analogy seen daily in our society. Every society has got a sample to point at. A successful retired force man must be smart enough to have a reliable side hustle or be able to wine and dine with the nation’s big boys. This is a common phenomenon.
High-ranked officers have been seeking asylum in politics or monarch titles in recent times. The question is, why? The unranked officers are going on awo or dying amid the insecurity, that we as a people have created through the governments we elect. Yet, we do not plan to right our wrongs. Our force men are now venturing into politics while our politicians now invest in their security. What a sad situation in a land of strength and strategy. We have already lost the path of our hero’s past. Unless we decide to search and stick to the map, their efforts might eventually be in vain.
The reward of service is now being designed to enrich the rich and impoverish the poor. A force man serves his nation for 35 years and survives the hazards of war, tormenting trials, and unpleasing commands. Yet, he will be subjected to pension schemes that won’t be able to take care of his welfare after service. Another force man who didn’t make it to retirement and lost his life on the job won’t be duly compensated and his family might have to go through hell to recover his claims, except maybe if he is a high-ranking officer or famous personnel.
Armed Forces Remembrance is an awesome initiative that must be sustained, yet it must be designed to improve the lives of the families of our heroes who lived their lives for us to protect the nation and the nation’s interests. It must be supported with individual, community, and government empowerment and encouragement for the families of our missing heroes and a show of love and care for the living legends.
Let’s stop the forced remembrance. Let’s remember them every day for their extreme and holistic service to humanity. They deserve more than media hype and public advertising. Encourage them and support their family. Good housing, sustainable life skills, and other social activities must be provided for the living force officers too. Celebrate them when they are alive, not when they are long gone. Show them how beautiful life is. It’s a collective responsibility.
Olajide B.O.Y.
Founder, Ayekooto Fact Finders
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