UNDERSTANDIG THE DANGERS OF DISMISSING CADETS/RECRUITS
UNDERSTANDIG THE DANGERS OF DISMISSING CADETS/RECRUITS
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com
nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
Permit me to"solute"our gallant "soldiers" who sacrificed their "comfort"under the "sun" and in "rain" for our general well-being . We cannot thank our soldiers enough!
Permit me to seize this opportunity to call on the authorities concern on a very disturbing issue that effects the Armed Forces for necessary action . I have for long "harboured"worries on the issue of dismissing both "cadets"of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA and the "recruits"of our Armed Forces.
It is sad to note that, Princewill Obinna, one of the five suspects of Mpape , Abuja ,First Bank Plc daylight- robbery of December 28, 2019 was a dismissed recruits. He was said to have about six months military training in the Nigerian Army in 2017 before he was dismissed just a few weeks to their passing out parade on medical reasons (Daily Trust, 1st Jan., 2020).
In my observation, the practice of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, needs to be urgently reviewed, I stand to be corrected, but as it is now, as far as I know, issuing"certificates"or"transcripts" to withdrawn or dismissed cadets on"disciplinary grounds" not"academic grounds"is a"discretionary powers"of the commandant and not the "rights"of the cadets .
The Nigerian Defence Academy as a degree awarding institution often dismissed "fifth"year"cadets"without given them their degrees. Out of the years that "cadets"spent in the academy, four years is for degree programs while the extra"one-year"is meant for military training, but it was often observed that, some unlucky cadets who were dismissed not on "academic related problems were often being sent away without their degrees. This is my thought will be dangerous to our future peace and security. We really need to avoid that!
In my view all cadets whose problems are not academics should be given their degrees as a"right"not as a"discretion"of the commandant. My concern is, If one is unlucky to be dismissed during a "tough" commandant , what happens to him ? This view does not in anyway condone indiscipline whatsoever.
In addition, even cadets with academic problems should be given the opportunity to"transfer" to conventional universities. Even In conventional universities, students who failed to meet up in a particular department were often given the opportunity to"transfer" to other departments.
Dismissing cadets without given them their "degrees"or"transcripts"depending on the case at hand could lead to excessive obsession that might resort to emotional trauma which in the long run may make them easy tools for criminal gangs recruitment. This must be prevented!
However, another very sensitive issue that needs to be urgently reviewed is the issue of dismissing recruits after"months"of "training"including arms handling skills in the name of possession of "fake results"and or"fake medical report". The service"must"be"thorough"in terms of "screening"of would-be recruits to avoid a ticking"time-bomb"that awaits us as a resuilt of dismissing unsuitable recruits.
I am not unaware of the fact that ," discipline"is"sacred"to soldiers, but even at that, our Armed Forces must be reminded of the"danger" of dismissing "recruits"after they went through "months"of "training". With arms handling skills of dismissed recruits only people with extra-ordinary faith could resist the temptation of becoming criminals.
There are many cases of armed robberies involving dismissed soldiers.The truth of the matter is, dismissed recruits might become armed robbers or kidnappers and or internet fraudsters etc. In my suggestion , recruitment officers must "bear"the consequences of whatever lapses discovered after recruitment.
The executive, legislators and the Armed Forces authorities must come together for a very sound decision that will save our society from the danger of dismissed cadets and or recruits which might mean resorting to crimes.
May God bless Nigeria!