The wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Mabel Oluyede, has stressed the importance of prioritising the welfare of military families, saying the wellbeing of soldiers’ loved ones has a direct impact on the morale and effectiveness of personnel.
Oluyede’s wife made the statement while speaking on the need for stronger support systems for families of Nigerian Army personnel.
She said military personnel operate under demanding conditions, often spending long periods away from their families while carrying out their responsibilities in different parts of the country.
According to her, ensuring that the families left behind are adequately supported can help reduce the emotional and social pressures faced by soldiers and allow them to concentrate more effectively on their duties.
She noted that military families make significant sacrifices alongside serving personnel, particularly when soldiers are deployed to areas affected by insecurity or assigned to missions far from their homes.
She therefore called for continued attention to issues affecting the families of officers and soldiers, including access to quality healthcare, education, housing and other essential services.
The welfare of military families, she said, should not be viewed as a separate issue from military effectiveness because the stability of a soldier’s family can influence his or her psychological wellbeing and overall performance.
She also emphasised the need for initiatives that strengthen the capacity of military spouses and provide opportunities that can improve their economic and social wellbeing.
According to her, supporting military spouses can help families cope with the unique challenges associated with military life, particularly during periods of prolonged deployment.
She said stronger welfare programmes would also demonstrate appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families in service to the nation.
Military personnel are regularly deployed to various parts of Nigeria to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats. Such deployments can place considerable pressure on families, especially when communication and access to loved ones are limited.
The welfare of soldiers has therefore remained an important issue in discussions about improving the effectiveness and morale of Nigeria’s armed forces.
Oluyede’s wife urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to continue developing programmes that address the practical needs of military families and ensure that they are not left behind while personnel carry out their duties.
She also encouraged military families to continue supporting one another and making use of available welfare and support structures.
She maintained that a soldier who is confident that his or her family is safe and adequately cared for is more likely to remain focused and committed to the responsibilities of military service.
The call comes as the Nigerian Army continues to operate across multiple theatres of security operations, placing significant demands on personnel and their families.
Improving family welfare could therefore form an important part of broader efforts to strengthen troop morale and sustain the commitment of personnel serving in challenging environments.
The welfare of military families is also important for attracting and retaining personnel, particularly as soldiers consider the long-term implications of a career that frequently requires relocation, separation from loved ones and deployment to high-risk areas.
Oluyede’s wife said the sacrifices of military families should be recognised and addressed through practical policies rather than being overlooked.
She called for continued collaboration between military authorities, government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that families of serving personnel receive appropriate support.
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