Treasure 
Shelter for the Military Family
There’s a need to put a human face on shelter for the military family.
Abraham Maslow states, “Human beings are motivated by a hierarchy of needs.” One of those needs is “SHELTER.”
Shelter, above all, plays a vital role in human existence. It is a fundamental human need, and it’s not until you don’t have a roof over your head that you will appreciate its importance.
The military wife is often afraid when her husband is posted out of a unit. This is because of the constant threats of being ejected from the barracks. Stories abound in which families have been thrown out of their living quarters, not minding if the soldier is properly accommodated where he’s presently serving.
There are instances where it would not be honored even with the intervention of the soldier’s new unit, stating that he’s not adequately accommodated and for the ejection to be suspended.
I, for one, have had cause to stay in a rented apartment with my kids to avoid such a predicament.
Living in the barracks is quite preferable due to its secure nature. You will also feel a sense of belonging in a gated community where you know almost everyone.
Yeah…
Everyone is associated with the military, but accommodations are often insufficient, and the soldier’s wife and kids bear all the brunt. Both the serving personnel’s family and the deceased family could go through such horrendous situations.
Ordeal of the Soldier’s Wife
One of the prayers and joys of every uniformed person’s wife is knowing that she has a home or shelter she can move to when needed.
The availability of accommodation and owning a home has become one of the most significant challenges that face the Nigerian military family. Though barracks accommodation is provided, it is not always sufficient. It is also not permanent. Even when spouses decide to make a place a permanent base, for the family to be stable due to constant transfers, it is still subject to the whims and caprices of whoever is the cantonment commander. This makes the soldier’s family vulnerable.
The case of the widow or a deceased soldier’s family is more pathetic as they are often caught unawares. This always happens due to the action or inaction of the soldier planning for and owning a place of his own in the event of any eventuality.
The nature of the soldiers’ job occasioned by the sudden nature of death places the military wife at a disadvantage as it often leads to the premature termination of one’s lofty dreams of building a home together. Though the soldier’s benefits will eventually be paid to the family, they might get used up in securing shelter for those he left behind.
Home For The Military Family
Every soldier desires to own a home. That desire is often hampered by affordability in terms of equity contribution. Soldiers are expected to have equity before being eligible for a housing loan.
In some parts of the world, special mortgages or housing loans are provided and tailored to suit the military family. If such is applied and made a priority for all soldiers to own a home, this big issue will be tackled. This will not only boost the troops’ morale but will give the soldier’s wife peace of mind because she has a shelter of her own in the event of any eventuality. And for the soldier, the joy that his family will never be without a roof over their head while he’s serving his fatherland or even after he’s long gone.
I urge the government at all levels and the organized private sector to kindly put a human face on the permanent shelter for the military family.
GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES.
