Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by mustiusman: 9:01pm On Sep 09, 2016 |
odimbannamdi:
Thanks for your kind words, sir. I earnestly hope you make the final list this time around. All the best Thanks ..God bless you |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Engineer123(m): 10:07am On Sep 21, 2016 |
IroIkenna: I sight u AB08. Dat wz a complete fact. SAY MUGABE!
Yap. How are you doing? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Nobody: 9:02pm On Sep 23, 2016 |
8BitGee: Good write up OP. The selection process appears largely transparent, I'm happy to know. ..transparent ? the OP said Ogun state was left with 4 candidates after medicals, but 14 people were shortlisted for Ogun state in the final list...so where did the remaining 10 people emanated from ? 4 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Jammy05: 9:35pm On Sep 23, 2016 |
which final list? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Jammy05: 9:37pm On Sep 23, 2016 |
as far as am concern, the selection board was very transparent. |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by odimbannamdi(m): 9:37pm On Sep 24, 2016 |
originalmachine: ..transparent ? the OP said Ogun state was left with 4 candidates after medicals, but 14 people were shortlisted for Ogun state in the final list...so where did the remaining 10 people emanated from ? Which final list are you referring to, sir? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Papacypaul(m): 9:33am On Sep 25, 2016 |
odimbannamdi:
Which final list are you referring to, sir? are you on whatsapp sir,i need ur digit |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by odimbannamdi(m): 12:32am On Sep 26, 2016 |
Papacypaul: are you on whatsapp sir,i need ur digit Will be edited in 7hours time |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Papacypaul(m): 6:55am On Sep 26, 2016 |
odimbannamdi:
. Will be edited in 7hours time thanks,you can edit nw |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by odimbannamdi(m): 1:28pm On Sep 26, 2016 |
Papacypaul: thanks,you can edit nw
please remove my number from your quote |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by collins777: 4:40pm On Sep 30, 2016 |
Something different was observed during the interview with the Army selection board for the SSC and DSSC. While at the SSC, the candidates' chest tags were not replaced with different tags before going to face the Army selection board, that of DSSC, the candidates were asked to submit their chest tags and different chest tags which do not reveal the state of origin of the candidates were issued to everyone before going for the board interview. What could be the reason for this different mode of appearance before the selection board for the SSC and DSSC? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Jammy05: 8:44pm On Oct 02, 2016 |
maybe to prevent board members from identifying the candidates in case of u know. |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by inventor432(m): 7:12am On Oct 05, 2016 |
Pay 5k for the flyer |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Jammy05: 2:22pm On Oct 05, 2016 |
Any info abt the final list? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Jammy05: 2:30pm On Oct 05, 2016 |
![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) any news abt the final list? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Nobody: 12:38pm On Oct 14, 2016 |
. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Usguy(m): 10:03pm On Jan 17, 2017 |
Does the issue of, first class,secound class upper and lower, arise when screening for SSC. |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by hakeem4(m): 9:11pm On May 30, 2017 |
odimbannamdi:
please remove my number from your quote Please what's the job of a 2nd lieutenant? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by NNAMDIII(m): 8:38am On Aug 28, 2017 |
odimbannamdi: It had always been my dream to join the Nigerian Army since my NYSC days in 2013/14 at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo. It seemed the perfect career path where I could deploy my intelligence, wit, strength and patriotism to my country. So, it was with so much eagerness that I applied for the Army SSC recruitment the very day applications were declared open. Thereafter, I started praying to make the first shortlistment, at least
My joy knew no bounds on the 29th of July when I saw my name in The Punch newspaper among the 30 shortlisted candidates from each state expected to report to the NDA old site, Kaduna on the 5th of August. I could hardly sleep at night due to excitement. So my dream was finally coming through. I was finally going to become an officer with the Nigerian Army.
I reported at Kaduna for the screening by exactly 3:30pm on the 5th of August. Only 17 people showed up for the screening from my state (Abia State): 15 on the first day, and another 2 a few days later.
A semi-apron-like blue tag containing a 2 lettered abbreviation of your state of origin and number was issued to every candidate, to be won all through the screening period (mine was AB08). Officially, we were to be known and regarded by this tag number. You would hear stuffs like “AB08, how far na? GB14, old boy I dey o” At some point, we all forgot our names. Lol. Also, it is this number you would send to your sponsors for influential purposes
An adhoc screening board made up of a Major General (the president of the board), 3 Colonels, 3 Lieutenant Colonels (the board secretary was one of them), 3 Captains (the board Admin Officer was one of them) and 3 Lieutenants was set up.
The first screening stage was vetting of candidates’ credentials to ascertain their authenticity and whether we would still be below the required maximum age of 29 by October. A Lt. Col. (the C.O. of 1div Hospital at NDA new site) screened for my state and he was very thorough. I noticed that the Army even prefers you to be younger than the minimum required age.
The next screening stage was writing an aptitude test. Candidates were divided into 3 groups. 1st group wrote at the hall just adjacent the parade ground. 2nd group wrote at the Cadet mess while the 3rd group (which included my state) wrote at the staff school, (one Professor Yahaya or so hall)
The test comprised of 4 sections:
- An essay (WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY) of 500 – 1000words - 10 English questions - Around 7 Maths questions (can’t remember exactly now) - Around 15 – 20 current affairs questions (cant remember exactly too)
The test was over in 2hours time. I gathered that the test was aimed at gauging our communicative ability, so more attention was paid to the essay and english objective questions. Some candidates were evicted based on the result of this test.
The next screening stage was the “almighty” medical and physical examination. As a result of the mammoth crowd and many tests we were supposed to undergo, we were shared into various groups. My state and some other states first went to the Medical Reception Station (MRS) for Xray. The next day, some of us went to 1div hospital, new NDA site, for blood tests, physical, dental and optical examination, checking of Blood pressure and BMI.
Considering the significance of this stage to a candidate’s final selection, I will try to explain each test further
Physical examination: Here, we were stripped Unclad, asked to stand straight with our hands placed at varying positions (this is to check if we have a bad posture such as kyphosis [hunched back] or lordosis) and our feet making a V-shape (to check for flat feet). The number of our testes was checked. We were then asked to grab our buttocks, bend down with our anus very visible and cough (this is to check if we have had pile before)
Blood and urine tests: Over 5mls of our blood was drawn and our urine taken in a sterile bottle. We were tested for diseases such Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis etc. I think our blood group and genotype were also checked
Blood Pressure reading: Being in a cool environment (such as an air-conditioned room), prior to checking your blood pressure, helps calm you down, consequently normalizing it. One Corporal Mike hinted us that the optimal reading is 120/90 or 110/80, while anything more than 140/90 is regarded as being high.
Body Mass Index (BMI): Our height and weight were measured, after taking off our shoes. The readings were used to determine our BMI. The full diameter of our chest during deep inhaling was also measured
Eye examination: We were asked to read letters from an eye chart placed about 10meters and 0.5meter away from us with one of our eyes closed at each time. Next, we were asked to decipher letters printed in colour patterns. Both tests were used to detect if we have long or short-sightedness and Astigmatism
Dental Examination: The alignment, number and grip of our teeth were also checked
The medical and physical examinations took almost 5days to conclude. Any state that finishes its medicals proceeded to do the psychology tests.
During the Psychology tests, 2 Lieutenants shared a booklet containing questions that tried to figure out our history of stimulants/drugs usage. The questions were structured in a way that when you lie in the first question, you would have to keep lying to the end. LOL.
Alcohol usage kind of raised a controversy among candidates because almost every young man has, at one point or the other, taken a sip of the contents of the green bottle. But I observed that as long as your alcohol usage wasnt a source of worry to your loved ones or you haven’t suffered a challenge arising from it (of course, the questions asked us that), then it wasn’t enough to disqualify you.
However, other classes of stimulants used via smoking, inhaling, sniffing or injecting, I observed too, disqualified some candidates. I think they tested their urine for the presence of such stimulants, cant say exactly. We were further interviewed based on our answers The results of the medical and psychology tests were announced together and candidates were consequently evicted.
I WAS EVICTED AT THIS STAGE TOO. I will talk about it soon
HOW RESULTS OF EACH SCREENING STAGE WAS ANNOUNCED[/b]
To a very great extent, the screening process was transparent.
Upon completion of each screening stage, the board members met and compiled the list of candidates who are “suspects of eviction”. All members of the board then arrive the parade ground to meet orderly but very anxious candidates.
Starting from Abia state, the board secretary calls out names of candidates who are made to immediately shout “Yes Sir!” with a leap and, along with their credentials, jogs to a part of the parade ground and sits on the ground.
Candidates who were flagged for eviction resulting from credentials screening were subjected to a review where their credentials were looked at again before final eviction.
The aptitude test stage did not need a review, of course. You don fail you don fail. No argument.
After the first set of medical and physical examinations, candidates were taken back to 1div hospital for review. Here, if you fell short of the accepted standard in any of the tests, apart from the blood and urine tests, you would be called in to be reviewed by the medical team.
Evictions resulting from the medical and psychological tests was, perhaps, the most touching and monumental. Lol. When the soldiers and officers were telling us that “medicals must drop over half of all of you. That one na dole”, we thought they were only envious of our would-be officer status.
The evening the results ought to have been announced, we waited for the board members till 10pm in the night. The secretary later came and told us that the results would be announced the next day. He instructed us to come to the parade ground with our bags the next morning.
The next morning, around 7am or later, all members of the board arrived the parade ground along with a public address system. There was a different kind of aura in the air. The atmosphere was so tensed.
Mounting the PAS, the board secretary started, “Candidates! Today, my problems will be reduced. Most of you will go back to your villages. The Nigerian Army does not compromise on health issues. If you hear your number, carry your kaya and run out. Is that clear!” Then he started
MY EVICTION I was far from surprised when I heard my name. I saw it coming.
I was born with a flat feet, umbilical hernia (i.e. a painless prominent navel) and poor right eye vision. For as long as I can remember, distanced objects appear very blurry when viewed using only my right eye (with my left eye closed). I never thought it was something to worry about because I have perfect sight with my both eyes working.
All these were flagged during the medical tests and I was reviewed based on them again.
It was with a broken heart that I picked up my kaya and jogged to the drill shed to await further instructions.
Indeed, over half of the candidates were evicted based on medical and psychological grounds. In fact, Ogun state saw over 20 of its candidates sent packing, leaving behind just 4!
After calling out the names, the board members came to address us. A lucky few who were evicted for being overweight were called out and asked to go back and join up. Then the rest of us were individually called out and told the reasons for our eviction afterwhich our beloved tags were taken away from us.
As I left NDA gate, hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I was evicted for features my God created me with and not what I acquired. It was really painful.
But in everything, I give Him the glory because He knows the end from the beginning.
I will be dropping the fun part of life in NDA, the psyching from the officers and soldiers that made some candidates run away, the jobs we served and the pertinent lectures about the Army we got from Captain Abdullahi.
Stay tuned
GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMY! GOD BLESS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF The Same name, state and was eliminated for the same reason only that i don't have flat foot. My right eye too is short sighted but i can see clearly with my two eyes open and i have a small navel. ![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png) I Don see my twin brother ![kiss](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/kiss.gif) 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Nobody: 12:37pm On Dec 20, 2017 |
odimbannamdi:
Its not sir. I was at the Army SSC screen exercise in Kaduna 2weeks ago. So, thats just a bit of my experiences there Bros pls did you guys sit for exam at the zonal level? If not how did they come about the list of people to attend interview in kaduna and lastly do you know if any 2:2 graduate made the list to the interview in kaduna and also if any made the final list. |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by odimbannamdi(m): 11:50pm On Dec 20, 2017 |
bxboss:
Bros pls did you guys sit for exam at the zonal level? If not how did they come about the list of people to attend interview in kaduna and lastly do you know if any 2:2 graduate made the list to the interview in kaduna and also if any made the final list. Bros pls did you guys sit for exam at the zonal level?...No, we didnt If not how did they come about the list of people to attend interview in kaduna?...Its a game of chance and God's favour, most especially do you know if any 2:2 graduate made the list to the interview in kaduna and also if any made the final list.?...The minimum degree requirement is 2.2. |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by mozele(m): 1:02am On Jan 11, 2018 |
odimbannamdi: Bnladan: .
oviexcels: [quote author=Bnladan post=48011195][/quote] to start with, sorry for tagging you guys. just in need of your help concerning the army ssc. please how can i apply for it and just like the regular course, am I also expected to take an entrance examination? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Bnladan(m): 11:42pm On Jan 26, 2018 |
mozele:
to start with, sorry for tagging you guys. just in need of your help concerning the army ssc.
please how can i apply for it and just like the regular course, am I also expected to take an entrance examination?
no exams before shortlisting. But at d interview and selection process, u take an examination. Its not hard though. It comprises of English language, little of mathematics, current affairs and logic. Expect to write an essay, mostly titled "why do u want to join d NA" |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by urahara(m): 12:22pm On Feb 04, 2018 |
izzou:
Op, did you just say battle![](/faces/huh.png)
Ba..... What? ![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png)
*removes slipper *
*runsouttathread*
I can't die now ![cool](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cool.png) Looool If u don't go to battle, what do you want to be doing as a soldier |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by kingsoloubani: 5:02pm On Oct 31, 2018 |
Senior bros good evening, tz solo from Bende LGA. I applied for the 2018/DSS recruitment and I have some few questions for you. By the way, i believe you would do better as a writer. Biko mail me let's talk. kingsoloubani@gmail.com |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by mmtukur: 11:49pm On Dec 09, 2018 |
Nice one @op. This has helped a lot. Please do you have any info on NN DSSC screening/ interview in Ojo, Lagos? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by classicabdul21: 8:36am On Dec 17, 2018 |
Bnladan: no exams before shortlisting. But at d interview and selection process, u take an examination. Its not hard though. It comprises of English language, little of mathematics, current affairs and logic. Expect to write an essay, mostly titled "why do u want to join d NA"
Ladan I applied for DSSC this year, do you have any updates on the list coming out dis year 2018? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Bnladan(m): 11:58am On Dec 17, 2018 |
classicabdul21: Ladan I applied for DSSC this year, do you have any updates on the list coming out dis year 2018? I don't. Continue praying and be hopeful. All will be well |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Terver90: 1:35pm On Dec 23, 2018 |
I thank Nigerian army for considering 2:2, Some us did not graduate with a higher class of degree because of economic reasons and others. But the Nigerian air force and Navy. Always insist on 2:1, I highly recommend that they should consider 2:2 as well. Anyway I graduated with a cgpa of 3.30 on a 5 point scale. 1 Like |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by Nobody: 6:57pm On Jan 02, 2019 |
odimbannamdi were you shortlisted for course 45? |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by NNAMDIII(m): 12:15am On Mar 11, 2019 |
odimbannamdi:
Its not sir. I was at the Army SSC screen exercise in Kaduna 2weeks ago. So, thats just a bit of my experiences there funnily enough i was also AB08, when i tell you we have something in common i just want you to believe bro |
Re: A Nairalander’s Experience At The Army Ssc Course 44 Screening Exercise In Nda, by mediclife1987(m): 6:14pm On Aug 26, 2019 |
odimbannamdi: It had always been my dream to join the Nigerian Army since my NYSC days in 2013/14 at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo. It seemed the perfect career path where I could deploy my intelligence, wit, strength and patriotism to my country. So, it was with so much eagerness that I applied for the Army SSC recruitment the very day applications were declared open. Thereafter, I started praying to make the first shortlistment, at least
My joy knew no bounds on the 29th of July when I saw my name in The Punch newspaper among the 30 shortlisted candidates from each state expected to report to the NDA old site, Kaduna on the 5th of August. I could hardly sleep at night due to excitement. So my dream was finally coming through. I was finally going to become an officer with the Nigerian Army.
I reported at Kaduna for the screening by exactly 3:30pm on the 5th of August. Only 17 people showed up for the screening from my state (Abia State): 15 on the first day, and another 2 a few days later.
A semi-apron-like blue tag containing a 2 lettered abbreviation of your state of origin and number was issued to every candidate, to be won all through the screening period (mine was AB08). Officially, we were to be known and regarded by this tag number. You would hear stuffs like “AB08, how far na? GB14, old boy I dey o” At some point, we all forgot our names. Lol. Also, it is this number you would send to your sponsors for influential purposes
An adhoc screening board made up of a Major General (the president of the board), 3 Colonels, 3 Lieutenant Colonels (the board secretary was one of them), 3 Captains (the board Admin Officer was one of them) and 3 Lieutenants was set up.
The first screening stage was vetting of candidates’ credentials to ascertain their authenticity and whether we would still be below the required maximum age of 29 by October. A Lt. Col. (the C.O. of 1div Hospital at NDA new site) screened for my state and he was very thorough. I noticed that the Army even prefers you to be younger than the minimum required age.
The next screening stage was writing an aptitude test. Candidates were divided into 3 groups. 1st group wrote at the hall just adjacent the parade ground. 2nd group wrote at the Cadet mess while the 3rd group (which included my state) wrote at the staff school, (one Professor Yahaya or so hall)
The test comprised of 4 sections:
- An essay (WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY) of 500 – 1000words - 10 English questions - Around 7 Maths questions (can’t remember exactly now) - Around 15 – 20 current affairs questions (cant remember exactly too)
The test was over in 2hours time. I gathered that the test was aimed at gauging our communicative ability, so more attention was paid to the essay and english objective questions. Some candidates were evicted based on the result of this test.
The next screening stage was the “almighty” medical and physical examination. As a result of the mammoth crowd and many tests we were supposed to undergo, we were shared into various groups. My state and some other states first went to the Medical Reception Station (MRS) for Xray. The next day, some of us went to 1div hospital, new NDA site, for blood tests, physical, dental and optical examination, checking of Blood pressure and BMI.
Considering the significance of this stage to a candidate’s final selection, I will try to explain each test further
Physical examination: Here, we were stripped Unclad, asked to stand straight with our hands placed at varying positions (this is to check if we have a bad posture such as kyphosis [hunched back] or lordosis) and our feet making a V-shape (to check for flat feet). The number of our testes was checked. We were then asked to grab our buttocks, bend down with our anus very visible and cough (this is to check if we have had pile before)
Blood and urine tests: Over 5mls of our blood was drawn and our urine taken in a sterile bottle. We were tested for diseases such Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis etc. I think our blood group and genotype were also checked
Blood Pressure reading: Being in a cool environment (such as an air-conditioned room), prior to checking your blood pressure, helps calm you down, consequently normalizing it. One Corporal Mike hinted us that the optimal reading is 120/90 or 110/80, while anything more than 140/90 is regarded as being high.
Body Mass Index (BMI): Our height and weight were measured, after taking off our shoes. The readings were used to determine our BMI. The full diameter of our chest during deep inhaling was also measured
Eye examination: We were asked to read letters from an eye chart placed about 10meters and 0.5meter away from us with one of our eyes closed at each time. Next, we were asked to decipher letters printed in colour patterns. Both tests were used to detect if we have long or short-sightedness and Astigmatism
Dental Examination: The alignment, number and grip of our teeth were also checked
The medical and physical examinations took almost 5days to conclude. Any state that finishes its medicals proceeded to do the psychology tests.
During the Psychology tests, 2 Lieutenants shared a booklet containing questions that tried to figure out our history of stimulants/drugs usage. The questions were structured in a way that when you lie in the first question, you would have to keep lying to the end. LOL.
Alcohol usage kind of raised a controversy among candidates because almost every young man has, at one point or the other, taken a sip of the contents of the green bottle. But I observed that as long as your alcohol usage wasnt a source of worry to your loved ones or you haven’t suffered a challenge arising from it (of course, the questions asked us that), then it wasn’t enough to disqualify you.
However, other classes of stimulants used via smoking, inhaling, sniffing or injecting, I observed too, disqualified some candidates. I think they tested their urine for the presence of such stimulants, cant say exactly. We were further interviewed based on our answers The results of the medical and psychology tests were announced together and candidates were consequently evicted.
I WAS EVICTED AT THIS STAGE TOO. I will talk about it soon
HOW RESULTS OF EACH SCREENING STAGE WAS ANNOUNCED[/b]
To a very great extent, the screening process was transparent.
Upon completion of each screening stage, the board members met and compiled the list of candidates who are “suspects of eviction”. All members of the board then arrive the parade ground to meet orderly but very anxious candidates.
Starting from Abia state, the board secretary calls out names of candidates who are made to immediately shout “Yes Sir!” with a leap and, along with their credentials, jogs to a part of the parade ground and sits on the ground.
Candidates who were flagged for eviction resulting from credentials screening were subjected to a review where their credentials were looked at again before final eviction.
The aptitude test stage did not need a review, of course. You don fail you don fail. No argument.
After the first set of medical and physical examinations, candidates were taken back to 1div hospital for review. Here, if you fell short of the accepted standard in any of the tests, apart from the blood and urine tests, you would be called in to be reviewed by the medical team.
Evictions resulting from the medical and psychological tests was, perhaps, the most touching and monumental. Lol. When the soldiers and officers were telling us that “medicals must drop over half of all of you. That one na dole”, we thought they were only envious of our would-be officer status.
The evening the results ought to have been announced, we waited for the board members till 10pm in the night. The secretary later came and told us that the results would be announced the next day. He instructed us to come to the parade ground with our bags the next morning.
The next morning, around 7am or later, all members of the board arrived the parade ground along with a public address system. There was a different kind of aura in the air. The atmosphere was so tensed.
Mounting the PAS, the board secretary started, “Candidates! Today, my problems will be reduced. Most of you will go back to your villages. The Nigerian Army does not compromise on health issues. If you hear your number, carry your kaya and run out. Is that clear!” Then he started
MY EVICTION I was far from surprised when I heard my name. I saw it coming.
I was born with a flat feet, umbilical hernia (i.e. a painless prominent navel) and poor right eye vision. For as long as I can remember, distanced objects appear very blurry when viewed using only my right eye (with my left eye closed). I never thought it was something to worry about because I have perfect sight with my both eyes working.
All these were flagged during the medical tests and I was reviewed based on them again.
It was with a broken heart that I picked up my kaya and jogged to the drill shed to await further instructions.
Indeed, over half of the candidates were evicted based on medical and psychological grounds. In fact, Ogun state saw over 20 of its candidates sent packing, leaving behind just 4!
After calling out the names, the board members came to address us. A lucky few who were evicted for being overweight were called out and asked to go back and join up. Then the rest of us were individually called out and told the reasons for our eviction afterwhich our beloved tags were taken away from us.
As I left NDA gate, hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I was evicted for features my God created me with and not what I acquired. It was really painful.
But in everything, I give Him the glory because He knows the end from the beginning.
I will be dropping the fun part of life in NDA, the psyching from the officers and soldiers that made some candidates run away, the jobs we served and the pertinent lectures about the Army we got from Captain Abdullahi.
Stay tuned
GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMY! GOD BLESS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF You write such a good & compelling essay bro! I'll like to PM you on something personal that you can teach me if you don't mind, thanks" |