A group, under the aegis of “wives of fallen heroes in Lagos State”, on Wednesday decried neglect from the state government.
A representative of the group, Mrs Oluwaseyi Iliya, said this during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.
“Since we have been celebrating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we have not had any direct impact from the Lagos state government.
“The only time they attempted was in 2024, and provision was made for only 10 widows, and ever since, we have not heard anything from them.
“Some of the widows were given foodstuffs, camp gas, and grinding engines, and after that, we have just been hearing empty promises without accomplishment.
“Military widows are suffering; if the armed forces have abandoned us, we don’t expect the state government to abandon us as well,” she said.
Iliya added that every effort to meet with the state government had proved abortive.
“The military widows are those that need to be honoured on a day like this because it is our husbands that paid the ultimate price for the nation.
“Most of us whose husbands died in the North-East because they were serving their fatherland, and now that they are no more, their families have been abandoned.
“None of us has been empowered since we have been celebrating this memorable day,” she said.
Iliya said military widows were not finding it easy taking care of their families with the state of the economy.
She, however, commended the Nigerian Army for the sponsorship provided to the children of widows.
She appealed to the state government to meet directly with the group.
“The government may have been prospecting for us and tried to do something for us but none of it is getting to us. So, we plead with them to meet with us directly so that we can air our views through the proper channel,” Iliya said.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hazmat, urged Nigerians to contribute to the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes.
Hazmat said well-meaning Nigerians could take some of their children and be responsible for their education, training and provision of other things.
“So, this ceremony is not just about the parade but also about the process of caring for the widows and their families. This will help to sustain their families and tell them that they are always remembered and not forgotten, which I feel is the essence of this ceremony,” Hamzat said
