When Nigerian soldiers die in battle fighting Boko Haram and they are hurriedly buried in a shallow mass grave without any appreciation whatsoever from the government, without their families being granted access to their remains and finally without adequate compensation or welfare provided to their wives and children, please do not be offended when the soldier runs away from battle. When we talk about the patriotism of the US, UK, Israeli or even Chinese soldier, do we also remember that when their corpses are returned home, the President, State Governor, and top politicians lead the military top brass in honoring the fallen and paying their last respects? Do we remember that they are given honorable military burials with 21 gun salutes? Do we remember that their coffins are covered in the national flag and the flag ceremonially handed over to their wives or parents or children? Do we remember that from the day they die, their wives and children become the responsibility of the government? Do we also remember that these nations mourn their fallen soldiers and accord immense respect to their families? Next time you all open your mouths to berate Nigerian soldiers for fleeing from battle please honestly ask yourself if you will be willing to die for this corrupt thing called Nigeria when you are fully aware that if you die you will be treated like a street dog by the same politicians whose mess you were ordered to make up for. Please also note that the average infantry man fighting to save Nigeria from itself is aged between 20 and 30. Just to put things in perspective, my uncle was a Royal Airforce officer (UK) in the early 1970s. He was honourably discharged and he returned to Nigeria. When he turned 65, the UK Ministry of Defence tracked him down and informed him that he has now reached retirement age and should immediately return to the UK so that he can get his benefits. His benefits included a house, a well paying job (till he is too weak to work), free transportation forever, free healthcare (till he dies) and subsidized tertiary education (up to 70% subsidized) for his children in any university of their choice. Please compare this to Nigeria, an oil producing country. Emeka Chijioke
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:37:37 +0000
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