The State's Broken Promise to Its Servicemen, According to Dele Sobowale

Dele Sobowale reflects on the notion that "it is sweet and honourable to die for your country," a phrase coined by Horace in 23 B.C., which was once a inspiring concept, but now seems outdated in the modern era.

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This phrase, which translates to "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori," was taught in schools such as Igbobi College, King's College, and Government Colleges, until the late 1960s, and was seen as a noble idea, but Ernest Hemmingway later challenged this notion, stating that there is nothing sweet nor fitting in dying for one's country.

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Hemmingway's words, written between 1891 and 1961, were quoted in the VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, page 267, and highlight the changing perception of war and sacrifice, as the world became increasingly disillusioned with the idea of dying for one's country, particularly after the unprecedented carnage of World War I, which took the lives of almost 20 million people.

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World War II, which occurred from 1936 to 1945, resulted in the loss of over 50 million lives, including two million Japanese killed by America, six million Jews cremated by Hitler, and 10 million Russians and East Europeans, leading to a shift in perspective, with many questioning the validity of Horace's assertion.

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US General George S Patton, who lived from 1885 to 1945, aptly summed up the object of war, stating that it is not to die for one's country, but to make the other side die for theirs, highlighting the harsh reality of war and the role of soldiers.

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A soldier's primary function is to kill for their country, not to die for it, and the loss of a high-ranking officer, such as a Brigadier-General, is a significant blow, with the cost of training such an officer running into millions of naira.

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The recent deaths of Nigerian soldiers, including the loss of four generals and four colonels in five years, as reported by VANGUARD on April 19, 2026, have been met with what can only be described as crocodile tears from the government and military leaders.

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A Daily Trust report on April 20, 2026, revealed that the army received only 7% of the disbursement for security equipment, while the presidential fleet took priority over the maintenance of the Nigerian Air Force's aircraft, raising questions about the government's priorities and commitment to the safety of its soldiers.

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Francis Bacon's quote, "it is the wisdom of the crocodiles that shed tears; when they would devour," is particularly apt in this context, as Nigerian elected officials are notorious for shedding tears after major disasters, while their actions often contribute to the very tragedies they are mourning.

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The government's silence on the Daily Trust report is deafening, and their inaction speaks louder than words, as the phrase "silence means consent" takes on a whole new meaning in this context.

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The fact that the government can justify allocating less than 10% of its capital budget to the army, while prioritizing the presidential fleet, is a damning indictment of their priorities and a clear indication that the lives of soldiers are not valued.

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The former Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, was sacked not for underfunding the armed forces, but for failing to disburse funds for questionable road projects, highlighting the skewed priorities of the government.

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The statement "your sacrifices will never be forgotten" is nothing short of a hollow platitude, as the names of fallen soldiers are quickly forgotten, even by the Commander-In-Chief, and the truth is that their sacrifices are often in vain.

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The death of a soldier like Braimah, who jumped into a tank with the expectation that it was in good condition, only to have it malfunction, is a tragic reminder of the risks soldiers take and the failures of those in charge.

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The fact that the government and military leaders can shed tears for Braimah and others, while prioritizing the presidential fleet and other pet projects, is a stark reminder of the insincerity of their condolences.

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The news that 744 bandits were glamorized and given uniforms and cash, just days after the deaths of soldiers like Braimah, is a slap in the face of the men and women in uniform, and a clear indication that the government's priorities are misplaced.

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The Chief of Defence Staff's description of bandits as "prodigal sons" and the National Security Adviser's reference to them as "our brothers" is a warped mindset that only serves to betray the trust of soldiers and perpetuate the cycle of violence.

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The admission by the former Governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle, that N900 million was paid to terrorists, is a damning indictment of the government's approach to dealing with insecurity, and a clear indication that the lives of soldiers are being put at risk by the very people who are supposed to protect them.

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The dilemma faced by many young families, who must choose between buying a ram for the festival or paying school fees, is a heart-wrenching one, and a stark reminder of the harsh economic realities faced by many Nigerians.

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The fact that ram prices are over the roof, and school fees have skyrocketed, has made it impossible for many families to participate fully in the celebrations, and has fundamentally changed the way people live their lives, with many struggling to make ends meet.

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The question posed by a young man, "how do I tell my children that there will be no ram this year or their school fees will not be paid?" is a poignant one, and a reminder that the effects of poverty and insecurity are far-reaching and devastating.