Widows of fallen military heroes have said they have been neglected and abandoned, especially amid economic hardship and the rising cost of living.

They spoke on Thursday during an interview at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated annually on January 15 to honour and remember the sacrifices of past and current military personnel.

The Coordinator, Military Widows Association, Navy Town, Helen Amodu, said that her late husband’s insurance scheme had not been paid to her after a decade of his demise.

Mrs Amodu, who is the wife of late Capt. F.E Amodu said that being a widow with children to cater for in the current economy was financially draining and challenging.

“Being widow of a military officer is not easy. After your husband dies and the severance package is paid, you will have to leave the barracks to go back to civilian life.

“Facing civilian life outside the barracks is not easy, that is why we decided to come together to form an association in order to help ourselves.

“The little palliative that comes from the government does not come as and when due and sometimes we have to beg and cry out before they will answer us,” she said.

Mrs Amodu, who has been a widow for a decade, said that she would be grateful if her late husband’s group life insurance was paid to her.

“At the very least, his insurance is an entitlement and should be paid to his family. This would go a long way in alleviating the suffering and pain we feel after losing our provider.

“I have written letters to the appropriate authorities and even sent letters to the Chief of Naval Staff but up till now, there has been no response regarding my plea.

“Therefore, I join my fellow widows who are facing this problem of non-payment of our late husbands’ insurance policy to plead with the appropriate authorities to resolve this matter,” she said.

In the same vein, Yemi Enoch, who has been a widow for seven years, said that she was happy that the celebration was held in rememberance of fallen heroes.

Mrs Enoch, however said that more effort needed to be put in place to cater for the families left behind by the officers and soldiers who died in the course of duty.

“Some of us have children who are still in school or who just left school and mouths to feed; so, whatever help we can get will be appreciated,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Lagos State chapter, Akeem Wolimoh, said that the legion had been sharing palliatives every year for military veterans and widows of deceased military men.

Mr Wolimoh said that the Lagos State government had donated 500 bags of 25kg rice and other food items which would be shared in February to the widows and those in need.

He said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had consistently supported the legion each year during the celebrations, providing funds and palliatives that were distributed to members.

“Since I came into office four years ago, I have distributed rice, live chicken and other food items every year to widows and veterans in need.

“We currently have 387 widows registered with us, and this year, another set of palliatives will be distributed in February in honour of our fallen heroes,” Mr Wolimoh said.

The chairman also said that there were ongoing plans to empower the children of widows and support them through educational trust funds.

(NAN)