Retired Colonel Nasiru Salami, a civil war veteran and the current Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, has shared his reasons for not encouraging his children to join the Nigerian Army.
In an emotional interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the 76-year-old recounted his own harrowing experiences in the military, particularly his time during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.
Salami, who was thrust into combat after just six weeks of training, spent 11 months on the battlefield. He recalled nearly losing his right foot due to severe injuries sustained in combat, injuries that required the use of plastic materials for treatment. Despite the traumatic experience, Salami returned to the frontlines after recovering.
However, despite his dedication and sacrifices, Salami voiced his disappointment over the lack of adequate support for military retirees. He expressed regret over the conditions he and other veterans face, particularly the unfulfilled promises made to them regarding pensions and war bonuses.
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In his interview, Salami stated, “For now, I will never recommend any of my children to join the Nigerian Army. I am their father, and they are seeing me now that my life is not to their expectation.” He explained that his children, seeing the hardships he faced, would rather see him in a better position. As a result, he has advised them to consider alternative paths, urging them to look into joining the Navy or Air Force instead, institutions he believes offer better treatment for their personnel.
Salami also expressed frustration with the neglect of civil war veterans, highlighting that many in the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, which has over 24,000 members, have yet to receive their promised war bonuses or pensions. “We fought in the war, and we’re asking for the war bonus that was promised to us. I retired in December 1983, and up till now, we haven’t seen it,” he said, urging the government to fulfill its promises and improve the welfare of veterans.
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