The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has proposed that every Nigerian should undergo military training to better understand the sacrifices involved in protecting the country.
Musa made the proposal during an appearance on the African Leadership Podcast with Ken Giami, released on Monday.
He said military training would expose Nigerians to the physical and mental demands faced by members of the armed forces.
According to him, such training would help people understand what it means to endure hunger, exhaustion, sleepless nights and physical strain while serving the nation.
“Every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. It will give you a different perspective about life,” Musa said.
He explained that military training teaches endurance, particularly when soldiers are required to continue working despite fatigue, hunger and difficult conditions.
Musa said the sacrifices of military personnel reflected the principle of putting one’s life at risk for the protection of others.
“That’s exactly what the military men are doing, putting their lives at stake for their country to move around,” he said.
The former Chief of Defence Staff also appealed to Nigerians to recognise that soldiers have families and loved ones they leave behind when deployed.
He said it was painful when members of the public insult soldiers or question the need for their continued deployment.
“Everybody wants peace, and that is important,” Musa said, stressing that soldiers remain fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who endure harsh conditions to keep the country secure.
He said military personnel often operate in rain, dust, extreme weather and at night while carrying out their responsibilities.
Musa also attributed increased infiltration across Nigeria’s borders partly to the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from regional security structures.
He said Nigeria was strengthening bilateral security relationships with countries such as Cameroon as part of efforts to improve security along the country’s southern borders.
