A civilian-military group, Support Our Troops Foundation, says the key to fighting insecurity lies in the ability of members of the public and the government to boost the morale of the soldiers who are at the battle front.
The founder of the group, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, said this during an interview with our correspondent on Saturday.
She said it was important for all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, to come together and support the military as this would boost their courage and ensure that terrorism comes to a quick end.
Ogbue said this just as friends of a Nigerian Air Force officer, Wing Commander Chimda Hedima, narrated how he killed 63 terrorists in an air strike shortly before he was beheaded by Boko Haram.
Ogbue said the aim of the group was to provide for the families of slain and injured soldiers and also celebrate and inform Nigerians of the many victories recorded by the military but usually go unreported.
She said Nigerians should note that the government could not do it alone as even in the richest nations like the US, private organisations and members of the public usually donated to the military. [eap_ad_1] She said, “The group is the first military charity in Nigeria while in a country like the United States, there are about 78 of such charities so we need to support our armed forces. The group is dedicated to galvanising support for the armed forces especially in the fight to end terrorism.
“We want to provide succour to them, look after their wives and cheer them on as they take their final steps into battle. We want to provide support to the medical facilities that look after them and then support for their wives and children. We seek to give scholarships to the children of fallen soldiers and give grants to their wives.
“What we realised is that soldiers’ wives hardly have businesses because they transfer their husbands all over the place and they usually go with their husbands. So, it is important that we take care of them.
“Anyone that can give assistance. Ministries, banks, pharmaceutical companies, those that make prosthetic legs, we are looking for supporters and volunteers that can give back to the people who ensure that we remain safe because their morale and welfare are important.” (Punch)
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