Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Widows of Fallen Nigerian Soldiers Lament Neglect, Demand Insurance Benefits
Armed Forces Remembrance Day — Widows of fallen Nigerian military personnel have decried what they described as prolonged neglect and abandonment, a situation they say has been worsened by economic hardship and the rising cost of living across the country.
They made these remarks on Thursday while speaking during interviews at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day ceremony held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Victoria Island, Lagos State, PulseNets learnt.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is marked annually on January 15 to honour the sacrifices of serving and fallen members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Military Widows Association, Navy Town, Helen Amodu, told PulseNets that she has yet to receive her late husband’s insurance benefits more than 10 years after his death.
Mrs Amodu, the widow of late Capt. F. E. Amodu, said surviving as a military widow with children in today’s economic climate has been financially exhausting and emotionally draining.
“Life as a military widow is extremely difficult. Once your husband passes on and whatever severance package is released, you are expected to vacate the barracks and reintegrate into civilian life,” she said.
“That transition is never easy, which is why we came together to form an association—to support one another and survive collectively.”
She added that government support, when it comes, is often irregular and insufficient.
“Even the small palliatives meant for widows do not come on time. Sometimes we have to plead repeatedly before our voices are heard,” Mrs Amodu explained.
Having lived as a widow for over a decade, she appealed for the payment of her late husband’s group life insurance, describing it as a rightful entitlement.
“At the bare minimum, his insurance benefit belongs to his family and should be released. It would ease some of the hardship and emotional pain we continue to endure after losing our breadwinner,” she said.
Mrs Amodu further disclosed that several appeals to relevant authorities had yielded no results.
“I have written multiple letters to the appropriate offices, including the Chief of Naval Staff, but till today, there has been no response to my request,” she said.
“I am therefore joining other widows facing this same issue to appeal to the authorities to urgently address the non-payment of our husbands’ insurance benefits.”
In a similar reaction, Yemi Enoch, who has been widowed for seven years, said she appreciated the remembrance ceremony but stressed that more needed to be done for families left behind.
Mrs Enoch, who spoke to PulseNets, noted that many widows are still struggling to raise children and meet basic household needs.
“Some of us still have children in school, others have just graduated and are unemployed. We have mouths to feed, and any form of support will make a big difference,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State chapter, Akeem Wolimoh, said efforts were ongoing to provide relief to military veterans and widows of fallen officers.
Mr Wolimoh told PulseNets that the Lagos State Government had donated 500 bags of 25kg rice alongside other food items, which would be distributed to widows and other beneficiaries in February.
According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has remained consistent in supporting the legion through funding and palliative donations during annual remembrance activities.
“Since assuming office four years ago, I have ensured that rice, live chickens and other essential items are distributed yearly to widows and veterans who need support,” he said.
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“We currently have 387 widows registered with us, and in February, another round of palliatives will be shared in honour of our fallen heroes.”
Mr Wolimoh also revealed that plans were underway to empower the children of military widows through educational trust funds and other long-term support initiatives.
