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From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
The Nigerian Army has reassured its officers and men of renewed commitment to improved welfare and stronger support for the families of fallen soldiers.
The assurance was given in Sokoto on Sunday as the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army marked the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day with a solemn church service at the Catholic Church, Gingiya Barracks.
The General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, who was represented by the Commander, 48 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Raphael Okoroji, said the occasion was not only to honour fallen heroes but to reaffirm the Army’s responsibility to serving personnel and the families they left behind.
According to him, the sacrifices of soldiers who paid the supreme price must not be taken for granted, stressing that their service places a moral obligation on the nation to care for those still in uniform as well as widows and dependants of deceased personnel.
Okoroji noted that troop welfare remains critical to morale and operational effectiveness, especially as many soldiers are deployed far from home to combat insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.
“Welfare is key to operational success. Our troops operate under difficult conditions, and their performance depends largely on the support they receive from home and the institution,” he said.
He further assured that the Federal Government and the Army High Command are working to improve living conditions, logistics, healthcare services, training opportunities and post-service benefits for military personnel.
The Army leadership also commended President Bola Tinubu for sustaining policies aimed at enhancing the welfare of the Armed Forces, supporting veterans and rehabilitating injured personnel.
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Paying tribute to widows and families of fallen soldiers, Okoroji described them as silent contributors to national security whose sacrifices often go unnoticed, noting that behind every soldier is a family that endures prolonged separation, anxiety and uncertainty.
He stressed that remembrance must go beyond ceremonial activities, calling for concrete actions that translate honour into sustained welfare support for serving, wounded and retired personnel.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15 to honour Nigerian military personnel who lost their lives during the civil war, internal security operations and peacekeeping missions abroad.
The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Sokoto, plays a key role in counter-banditry operations in the North-West and also coordinates welfare interventions for families of wounded and deceased soldiers within its area of responsibility.
Some widows and veterans who attended the ceremony expressed appreciation for the recognition, while appealing for continuous support beyond annual remembrance events.
