Defence Minister Christopher Musa has called for every Nigerian to undergo military training, saying it would give citizens a deeper understanding of the sacrifices soldiers make to keep the country safe.
Musa, a retired general and former Chief of Defence Staff, made the proposal while speaking on the African Leadership Podcast hosted by Ken Giami.
According to him, military training would expose Nigerians to the physical and mental demands of service, including hunger, exhaustion, sleepless nights and long marches.
He said such experiences would change the way citizens view the military and give them a better appreciation of what soldiers endure in the line of duty.
“Every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. It will give you a different perspective about life,” Musa said.
He explained that soldiers are often required to keep going despite extreme fatigue, lack of food, harsh weather and other difficult conditions because they have a responsibility to protect the country.
Musa likened the sacrifice of soldiers to the biblical principle of giving one’s life for another, saying members of the armed forces routinely put their lives at risk for the nation.
The minister also appealed to Nigerians to remember that soldiers are fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who leave their families behind to serve in difficult conditions.
He expressed concern over situations where members of the public insult soldiers or question the need for military operations, stressing that the ultimate goal of the armed forces is to restore peace and security.
“Everybody wants peace, and that is important,” Musa said, urging Nigerians to understand the conditions under which soldiers operate.
He also linked increased infiltration along Nigeria’s borders to the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from the regional security arrangement, saying the development had created additional security challenges.
Musa added that Nigeria was strengthening bilateral security relationships with neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, as part of efforts to protect the country’s southern borders.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
