Nigerian Air Force/92A Military Training Experience

30th Anniversary (20th January 1992-20th January 2022).
My life experiences and events have shaped the way I am. My military career was the one event that had the most significant impact on my life.

In early 1991, a friend of mine came to me with a Punch Newspaper with an advertisement for recruitment of Trade and Non-Trade men/women into the Nigerian Airforce. I browsed through the advert content to view the requirements. Luckily, I met all the requirements, including the O’ level results, trade certification, height, weight etc.

At 20 years in 1988, I became the CEO of Abdulazeez Majekodunmi Nig Enterprises, a registered printing company. But because I wanted to expand my business operation, increase my social capital and pursue my academic dream, I decided to go for the recruitment exercise. I always set a purpose first for anything I want to do in life. That has always been my driving force.

The recruitment was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo-State. Before the recruitment exercise, I travelled to Abeokuta, Ogun State, to obtain a local government indigene letter. I informed my parents that I would be going for a recruitment exercise in Ibadan, Oyo-State. My mum was worried, but my father asked me, ‘Are you interested? And I said, ‘Yes, sir. ‘I will talk to your mum.’

Anyway, I was not scared of the recruitment or military training because I was mentally, emotionally and physically prepared. I had just completed a Maltonic Marathon Race in Lagos and was one of the awardees.

Eventually, I was selected at the recruitment centre after going through a series of screenings, physical exercises and running, and I got an invitation for a mega interview in Kaduna. Immediately, I received a letter of an interview a day after I returned to Lagos.

I told my parents I was going to Kaduna for the second phase. My mum was worried again because of my security and welfare. As usual, my dad, a great man, gave her hope.

I had no friends, family members, or acquaintances in Kaduna, but I remained steadfast and focused.
After two weeks of rigorous military interviews, medical exercises and other activities, I was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force in June 1991 without any godfather. Honestly, everything from Ibadan to Kaduna was on merit. No shortcut or cutting the corner.

We were all divided into three batches. I was in the second batch, and we were to commence the military training in September 1991.
At the same time, the first batch started immediately in June 1991. I returned to Lagos after the interview to prepare for the military training in September 1991.

Furthermore, in September 1991, I travelled to Kaduna for the training. However, due to logistic reasons, the authority postponed our training from September 1991 to 20th January 1992.

On 20th January, 1992, the first day was long, and we had to learn the norms of military life quickly. Throughout the six months of rigorous military training, we engaged in different military training activities such as military drills, field training, bush camps, firing exercises, military camping, firearms, PT (physical training), military discipline (Putee) and many more. To God be the glory, I overcome all the challenges militarily. It was a complete transformation of life.

Then my view, thinking and perception about life change entirely. I became another human being and saw life differently from the civil. Initially, I was made to believe that to survive military training; then you would need to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.

However, I proved the assertion wrong because during and after the military training, I never drank either alcohol or smoked, and I was among the most active trainees during our military training career. There is no room for malingering or laziness.

My military experience has shaped who I am. It has taught me discipline, responsibility, and the value of hard work. I have learned that it is vital to be prepared for anything. Also, I always do my best in any situation I find myself in.

In conclusion, I have learned that it is important to be prepared for anything and always do my best. Unfortunately, our country, Nigeria, is doing little or nothing to protect the interest of its veterans who dedicated their lives to the country’s unity.

Recently, we all witnessed how veterans were protesting and demanding their legitimate benefits from the federal government. Despite having a retired general as the president of Nigeria, nothing has changed for the veterans because Mr President does not live on his pension benefits alone, unlike many veterans with no other sources.

I learned to appreciate the freedoms of serving an independent country like Nigeria that provides values and nationalism. However, if I had the privilege of serving in the USA Airforce, UK AirForce or Swedish Airforce, the experience and story would have been different because the countries mentioned above treat their veterans with dignity and respect. Since I have lived in western countries for almost two decades now, I have not witnessed the veterans protest openly for their entitlement like in Nigeria.

I want to use this opportunity to advise the political leadership in Nigeria to see the citizens’ social welfare, security, and national interests as their priority. Leadership is not for self-enrichment and power to oppress others. If you don’t know what leadership is all about, you do not have a business in the governance.

The military personnel are not meant to be used as oppressive tools. Instead, they are to protect national integrity and borders. Political leadership’s responsibility is to provide security, a robust economy, and social welfare for its citizens.

These are the things that make a nation grow and thrive. I am proud to be a Nigerian Air Force family, and I have learned that it is essential always to do my best.

Military training on 20th January 1992 has taught me that it is always better to be prepared for anything, no matter how severe the condition. I am proud of serving in the military, but If I had the privilege again, I would choose the Air Force of any Western country. But not Nigeria.