Permit me to solute our gallant soldiers who sacrifice their comfort under the sun and in the rain for our general well-being. We cannot thank our soldiers enough!
However, it is sad to note that, a few days to this year’s Passing Out Parade, four fifth termer cadets were among the 18 dismissed cadets from the institution. Their presidential commissioning is slated for October 9, 2021 while the announcement for the dismissal was made on September 24, 2021.
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I have for long harboured worry on the issue of dismissing both cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the “recruits” of our armed forces.
In my thought, there should be a better way of dealing with indiscipline or misconduct in the armed forces other than dismissal in view of the critical security situation of our dear country. It worries me to note that our cadets and recruits are often dismissed after acquiring arms handling skills!
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 cadets/recruits after years and or months of training. With the arms handling skills of dismissed cadets/recruits only people with extra-ordinary faith could resist the temptation of becoming criminals.
In my observation, the practice of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) needs to be urgently looked at. I stand to be corrected, but as far as I know, the issuance of certificate or transcripts to withdrawn or dismissed cadets on disciplinary grounds, not academic grounds, is a discretionary powers of the commandant and not the rights of the dismissed cadets.
The Nigerian Defence Academy, as a degree awarding institution often dismisses fifth year cadets without awarding them their degrees. Out of the years that the cadets spent in the academy, four years are supposed to be for degree programmes while the extra one-year is meant for military training. However, it is often observed that some unlucky cadets who are dismissed not on academic-related problems are sent away without their degrees. This in my thinking is dangerous to our future peace and stability. We really need to change this practice in order to provide a soft landing for the dismissed cadets.
In my view, all cadets whose problems are not academic should be awarded their degrees as a right not as at the discretion of the commandant. My concern is the situation that an unlucky dismissed cadet will likely find himself under a very strict commandant. It is important to state that this view does not in any way 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 awarding 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 lead to serious security problem. This must be prevented!
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 result of dismissing unsuitable recruits.
There are many cases of armed robberies involving dismissed soldiers. The truth of the matter is, dismissed recruits may become armed robbers, kidnappers or internet fraudsters etc. In my suggestion, recruitment officers must bear the consequences of whatever lapses are 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 as well as recruits. There is no gainsaying the fact that some dismissed cadets/recruits might become criminals.
May God bless Nigeria!
Nurudeen Dauda wrote from Kaduna
