The d-day finally came and as applicants from different works of life, from different states scattered across the Nigerian geographical space converged in drones in Ojo, Lagos, SouthWest Nigeria venue for the much anticipated Aptitude Test organized by the Nigerian Navy, a perceived reputable security paraphernalia as enshrined within the Nigerian Constitution.
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The d-day finally came and as applicants from different works of life, from different states scattered across the Nigerian geographical space converged in drones in Ojo, Lagos, SouthWest Nigeria venue for the much anticipated Aptitude Test organized by the Nigerian Navy, a perceived reputable security paraphernalia as enshrined within the Nigerian Constitution.
Going by its (Nigerian Navy) track record, its efficient modus operandi and the esteemed adoration the Nigerian people accords this Agency, applicants where quite optimistic that, the so-called Aptitude Test will be conducted in such a seamless manner devoid of bickering. Little did they know that, the Nigeria Navy is a sub-set of the Nigerian Nation as such, nothing works seamlessly.
Prior to this day, applicants would have seen pointers to the fact that, the entire recruitment exercise was totally enmeshed in cacophony of lies and deceit, meant to insult and ridicule the sensibilities of the Nigerian people especially the astutely dedicated un-employed Nigerian Graduates.
Despite the obvious fact that, the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration has prioritised and decided to tackle head-long, unemployment in Nigeria, its various agencies still talk in discordant tunes which practically negates the focal point of GEJ’s regime. It is only in this part of the world that a Governmental Agency, which is an intrinsic part of Governance (a Government that is determined to reduce and possibly eradicate unemployment), deems it fit to impose monetary charges on unemployed Graduates in the name of Online Application for vacancies that have already been filled before publication.
Well, the Nigerian Navy cannot be apportioned a quantum of blame here after all, ther Governmental Agencies did it and practically got away with it. Hence, there is basically no need to cry foul. Federal Road safety Corps charged applicants N1000 for online application in 2010. Its (FRSC’s) recruitment exercise has been completed and successful candidates have since reported at their various duty post. NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) charged applicants N1,500 and conducted its test in October of 2010 but till date, nothing has been heard on publication of list successful applicants in the National dailies, not to talk the less commencement of its alleged training in Kuru, Jos. From every indication, the entire NDLEA’s sham has been junketed or swept underneath the carpet. These and others and various pre-meditated antics been utilised by the Government of the day to defraud the Nigerian people. Are these Governmental bodies telling the Nigerian populace that, they do not get budgetary allocation from federal Government as it concerns yearly recruitment exercise or are these additional streams of generating income (IGR) for the Federal Government or its Agencies as the case maybe? Can we appropriate the massive and colossal swindle of these applicants as another revenue drive for the Government? How and why should a responsible Government or its agencies tax/charge unemployed graduates for the purpose of recruitment? Where do they expect these unemployed youths to seek out the money from? It basically connotes that, the Government expect these unemployed youths to engage in all sorts of criminality. (The female applicants engage in prostitution and other vices to seek out this money, while the male applicants engage in armed robbery, drug peddling etc). Can this present Government/Administration be called a responsible Government/Administration? A Government that sacrifices the interest of its un-employed on the altar of pecuniary benefits.
The Nigerian Navy did not only charge an outrageous sum of money for online application (N3, 000), they engaged the applicants on a wild goose chase in the name of filling the so-called Local Government Attestation Form, which was meant to be filled by either the Chairman of your Local Govt. of origin or a serving military officer from applicants state of origin (with a designated rank). As such, applicants had to scamper to their various roots (places of origin) to get this form signed in other to beat deadline. We all understand the complexities and dangerous geographical terrain of the Nigeria nation as such; we understand the cost implication to be borne by an applicant in criss-crossing from Kano to another state in South-eastern part of Nigeria just to see a Local Government Chairman. Maybe, the cost would have been reduced if only the Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria had a good grasp and appreciated the Internet and usage of computer. On the average, an applicant spent in all about N20, 000 (for online application, completion of Local government Attestation form and travelling to their various test venues) just for this exercise. How optimistic and dedicated these applicants are. It should also be stated that, this cost (N20, 000) quite exceeds the minimum wage that is still under contention for the Nigerian worker.
The Aptitude Test was schedule for 5th of March 2011, and for the singular desperation in acquisition of more funds from the un-employed graduates, The Nigerian Navy shifted the closing date of this exercise to 2nd March 2011. Well that is certainly not an issue, as any structured organization could spool and send out invitation to successful applicants (ONLINE), who were meant to write the Aptitude Test in one day. But as clumsy as the Nigerian Navy is, successful applicants were not notified until they actually got to the test venue. As at 11.00p.m of 4th March 2011, Nigerian Navy was yet to publish the list of candidates meant to write its Aptitude Test. This clearly indicates the peak of this devious scam.
As applicants converged on the 5th of April 2011 (NOTE: these applicants travelled from all states of the federation to Lagos), venue for the test was Navy Secondary School, Ojo, it now became apparent to these applicants on the day of the test that, not everyone that applied was shortlisted to write the test. In their apparent chagrin and dismay, the Naval Officials brought out the much elusive list and started administering to applicants. In all, about 60% of these applicants failed to write the test for the singular reason that, they were not shortlisted from Abuja. When the irate applicants put up pertinent question to the Naval Officials, such as, what the criteria for short listing was? (as these candidates’ before applying online had already met the minimum criteria set by Nigerian Navy), the officials were loss at words. They only regimented answer they could muster was ‘I don’t know. My duty is to see to it that, candidates on the elusive list writes the test. The elusive list was sent from Abuja and as such, I cannot query Abuja’. This was the answer given to candidates by a fair complexioned Naval Officer on the day of the test in Lagos. At a point, when applicants started scurrying close to the entrance gate, the Naval Officers unleashed mayhem on these applicants as these applicants where flogged like animals. Well, this barbaric treatment on civilians whom, the so-called naval officers called ‘animals’ , initially had made these applicants frog-jump to the test venue from the entrance gate, can only be found in Naija.
Not wanting more harm to be meted on them, the discouraged applicants decided to leave the venue of this test in total dismay and disdain. But, the last has not been heard of these charade been perpetuated by Government and its agencies. If the Government can extort unemployed youths in the country under the guise of providing employment for them, what do you expect of the organised private sector? It is imperative to state that, the organised private sector especially the Banks, which are in serious financial dilemma, could decide to utilize this approach to generate additional income streams as working capital/shore-up capital. If Governmental Agencies could engage in such a dastardly act, why not the organised private sector?
The sooner and quicker this ugly scenario is nipped in the bud, the better for Nigeria and Nigerians. And it also behoves on the GEJ’s regime to scuttle these inactions been perpetrated by its various agencies, by issuing a statement denouncing and condemning it publicly.
Long Live the Good people of Nigeria.
I am, Emeka ([email protected])
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