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Private Soldier Lectures Nigerian Commander-in-Chief

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Author: Oyeyemi Olodo
Posted to the web: 7/8/2006 5:16:42 PM
 

Olusegun: My name is Olusegun Olaniyi Oyewole, a retired soldier of the Nigerian Army with a B.A (Hons) History, PG Diploma in Journalism and presently a Law student at University of Teesside.

 

TIM: Have you ever participated in any military operation like peace-keeping force etc in the past?

 

Olusegun: Yes! I was in Liberia in 1990 with the ECOMOG troops from 21 Battalion, Minna attached under 1 Mechanised Brigade HQ.

 

TIM: Why are you protesting outside the Nigerian High Commission in London on the 6th July, don't you have anything better to do?

 

Olusegun: This is more important to me. I have been advocating a change in the Army Day Celebration since I wrote my B.A History dissertation in 1994. I published this in articles and memoranda to the Minister of Defence and the Army Chief. But they refused to acknowledge this error simply because I am an ordinary soldier who supposed not to think, much of holding opinion.

 

TIM: You mentioned that you are retired military personnel, are you still receiving your benefits for your service to your country?

 

Olusegun: That is another story. Immediately the Army received my memorandum my pension was stopped that I have query to answer at home.

 

TIM: Had you tried to convey this information to Nigerian government?

 

Olusegun: Yes. I have and my effort has been interpreted as an affront to the intelligence of the officers.

 

 

TIM: What will you like to see Nigerian Army look like in 10 years?

 

Olusegun: I want to see an Army well professionalized, well catered for and highly mobile, mechanised with modern weapons with sufficient training and international exposure trained in the best military institutions abroad and participating with the best armies in the world in global peace keeping: anti-terrorism campaign. And above all able to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and win the confidence of Nigerians.

 

TIM: Would Nigerian Army have been equipped to perform at conflicts such as Iraq etc if drafted?

 

Olusegun: The politicisation of the military makes it less ready for such high tech warfare.

 

TIM: How will you advise Nigerian Army to tackle the Delta Crisis?

 

Olusegun: I think dialogue is the best option. The choice of gun diplomacy might not work because even a senior military officer- Director of Defence Operations confessed our Army can be over run by Niger Delta militant because of lack of modern weapons and training.

 

TIM: What is your message to the military and Nigerian Commander-in-Chief?

 

Olusegun: Professionalism and reward for individual in-put will make the military a pride for the youth. The pensioners and heroes should be accorded recognition and national honours for them. Post Service Schemes and insurance and housing should be in place after all, we are a rich oil producing nation.

 

It is a sad sorry that Nigerian Government refuses to recognise our military and I think it is necessary........

 

The protester, Olusegun Oyewole sent a chilling message to the commander-in-chief, Olusegun Obasanjo. Although namesake with Nigeria president, the private soldier was not shy to give the one-time “General” in the Nigerian Army, history lesson on Nigerian Military.

 

The military adviser at Nigeria High Commission, London was asked for comment but nothing was received.

 

Oyeyemi Olodo

Director/Publisher

The Integrity Magazine

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