In late 2009 , I was among the Nigerian police foreign mission delegates that traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, USA enroute Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, for an official visit. When we landed in Atlanta , I hopped into a commercial bus just to have a bird’s eye view of the city.What later arrested my attention and created an indelible impression on me was the way passengers in the bus stood up to usher in four ex military personnel who suffered various degrees of disabilities owing to their participation in the various wars across the world where their country, America was involved in. The passengers , clapped ,cheered and heartily and joyfully greeted the war heroes while welcoming them into the transit bus and provided seats for them with such patriotic fervour.I watched in admiration and disbelief! The first question that came to my mind was, can this happen in my country, Nigeria?
The four war veterans in the bus were part of the thousands of gallant soldiers who staked their lives fighting to uphold the dignity, strength and military preeminence of their country. They recieved bullets on behalf of their citizens and country while protecting America’s honour and integrity on the world stage.
One of the war veterans who was directly in front of me had his two arms chopped off and unable to use them the way he would have loved to . The second man opposite me had his right leg amputated while the one at my back had his head covered with medical cap. The last ex soldier, I learnt, had some intrustment inserted into his shoulder to assist him live a normal life .As the vehicle glided to its destination, all the passengers waited until the four heroes alighted from the bus before anyone else stepped out. At this moment, suddenly, the then Nigerian national anthem flashed through my mind, especially the stanza that talked about the “works of our heroes past” . According to an unknown author, “soldiers are not just people in uniform, they are real heroes who fight for peace with lives”. The American citizens in that bus expressed heartfelt thankfulness to the gallant soldiers . They hailed them , spoke glowing words of encouragement to them, blessed and prayed for them and said uplifting words to each of them.
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When I returned to my hotel room, I narrated my experience to Patrick Akpambu who was also on the trip and we rued that such could not happen in Nigeria. Infact, typical of Nigerians, if the four ex US soldiers were to be Nigerians, while few will be encouraging and appreciating them others would be blaming the government for being responsible for their predicament; a few others would blame them for joining the military in the first place, in a country like Nigeria where patriotism is not rewarded or applauded.
What agitates my mind most times is why soldiers’ welfare and benefits are not paid when due. And the question is; why would a man join the military, sacrificed his youth, staked his life and served his fatherland patriotically and selflessly only to later beg for his allowances to be paid? No wonder each time military Chiefs visit the theatres of combat in parts of the country, one issue that always become a sing song on their lips is promise to the troops that their welfare would be adequately taken care of. I recall in 2019 when I was in Sambisa forest, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, as a guest of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Brutai. It was a scary experience for me. I was transported and accompanied by one Col. Yusuf of the Army Media Department in a Armoured Tank through the war fronts amidst rain of bullets from the Boko Haram insurgents.Vibration caused by the shelling was so intense that it affected the movement of the Tank. I could not help but worried myself sick about the fate of our soldiers in the frontline. There, they were in their trenches, patriotic and courageous, taking bullets on behalf of the country. As the fighting between the soldiers and the Boko Haram insurgents intensified, a plethora of “what ifs” dominated my thought: How would anybody pick or recognize bodies of the soldiers if the Boko Haram mortar flying everywhere reduced them to shreds?, what if the Armoured Tank I was in got hit, demolished and we got killed or captured? What if I didnt get out of the Sambisa alive, how would my family receive the unfortunate news? At night, palpitation enveloped my heart where I was lodged. Of course, I was lodged in an open building which I later learnt had served as an Emir’s palace. Resigned to fate and left with no choice, I resorted to fervent prayers asking God to protect and keep me through out that night as lightning sparks of bullets and other dangerous arsenals continue to rain down everywhere.
If I, “a bloody civilian” could suffer such harrowing experiences; then soldiers who witness wosrt scenarios; who put their lives on the line daily deserve to be celebrated.
Soldiers are heroes, whether in uniform or out of it, they should be appreciated and encouraged. This will continuously boost their morale, especially those still in service. Such morale boosting actions from citizens would surely heal the scars and trauma of war soldiers bear.
I was impressed recently when Channels Television aired touching testimonies of some Nigerian soldiers who have scars of war as badges .These badges should be seen recognised, identified and celebrated as badges of patriotism . I encourage Nigerians to always appreciate and show love to gallant Nigerian war heroes by applauding their sacrifices.
Postscript
Moments after writing this column, news broke about the heartbreaking passing of former President Muhammad Buhari who ruled Nigeria twice- first as a military Head of state and later as an elected civilian President. As a military Head of State, Buhari exuded integrity and discipline and instilled the same in Nigerians.He wanted the best for the country and played his part in nation building.He will be remembered for his zero tolerance for corruption.
May his soul rest in peace.
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