South-South zonal branch of Military Widows Association of Nigeria, has called for total support, including psychological and social, for the windows of fallen soldiers with a view to show them love, even when their loved ones have gone.
The association also joined Nigerians and the international community in condemning the brutal killing of 17 soldiers, who were deployed for security and peace-building duties in Okuoma community of Delta State.
Director of Operation of South-South MWAN, Dr. Gebrial Iyoh, told South-South PUNCH on Wednesday that the tragic incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officers and men of our armed forces in the course of service to the nation.
He said, “The gruesome killing not only brutalised the psyche of Nigerians, but also has a life-changing impact on the families of the killed soldiers.
“Young widows and their children have been left to live life without the love, care, guidance, and financial security of their breadwinners. It is the prayer of MWAN that they should not be forgotten by the country that their husbands died for.
“Support for the widows extends beyond financial compensation. It includes recognition of the gallantry of their loved ones, psychological and social support, and educational support for the children”
MWAN expressed its appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for conferring national honours on the 17 slain soldiers.
He said, “We call on the government, the military authorities, and the people of this great country to ensure that the families receive the full range of support services that they need.
“May it not be said in the future that after the initial burst of reprobation and promises of support, the families will be forgotten.”
The director seize the opportunity to remind Nigerians that many military wives are widowed at a young age through less publicised deaths of soldiers in active service in Nigeria and internationally.
He said as a country, we should be doing more for these windows, calling on well-meaning individual, corporate bodies and others to join hands with MWAN in caring for these widows.
Commending Delta State government for its support, Iyoh appealed to the state government to support MWAN via sale of its yearly legion materials, such as sticker/emblem to transporters to enable them generate revenue to cater for the family of fallen heroes.
He lamented that widows in the zone are increasing because soldiers are dying on daily basis unpublicized.
