Sola Omorilewa: Their sacrifices should not be in vain

 Burial of a recruit who died during Induction in Benue State Command

 There is no doubt that the wind of change is presently blowing across Nigeria in all sectors. This demands some applause from Nigerians to the present administration. It has consumed some but I think "a person who doesn't carry evil medicine should not be afraid of the rain". The war on corruption and impunity is now a daily occurrence on both print and electronic media.

Yet, we should be cognizance of the multiplying effect of certain decisions, especially if it concerns security of life and properties of the general public. This also brings to mind the recent axe on the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mr David Shikfu Parradang CON, over the recruitment of certain number of candidates for the job of policing our borders, issuance of travel documents, registering and monitoring of ECOWAS nationals, monitoring both joint ventures and fully owned foreign companies in compliance with extant rules and regulations, waging war against trans-national organized crime like human trafficking and child labour. After the CGIS was suspended on the 21st of August 2015, the service also issued out a letter same day to various formations to disperse the recruited officers and men who had almost completed their three months induction training at the various state commands across the Federation.

However, from the information I was able to gather as an investigative journalist, it will be a great disservice to this nation if those agile youths are sent back to the unemployment market. I think that NIS has not put the multiplying effect on the economy into consideration before dispersing these recruits. Not only this, I do not think they have put the security of the nation and their different offices into consideration before sending those recruits packing; going by the experience and information they have gathered during their three months induction training. The society must not toy and undermine these trainees because lots of secrets and restricted information are already at their fingertips. It is not justifiable to just lay those trainees off considering the following factors.

The first is their effort and commitment; You will agree with me that these recruits have shown lots of commitment through the process of their enlisting into the service and their eventual short listing. Many traveled from far to attend the examination at designated ICT centres from different towns and villages. The various commands throughout the country screened their certificates and also observed them medically. Also, their journey to various immigration training schools: ITSK, Kano; NITSOL, Orlu; and NITSOL, Ahoada when they were invited for their documentation. Of course , you will agree with me that these youths have sacrificed time, energy and money to do all these. To have nothing to show for all their efforts will not only be saddening but also heartbreaking.

Sequel to the above is the security of the society and the paramilitary organization that employed them. You should be aware that many of these recruits have been exposed to various sensitive places in their various commands of induction. Virtually all of them have been physically drilled and have also undergone weapon training. Many of them will successfully strip, service and assemble some of the rifles used by NIS. Where do you want them to use such knowledge? To become a saboteur or enlist into terrorist organizations? An idle hand they say is the devil’s workshop. To become an armed robber or a kidnapper?

Furthermore, the negative perspective at which this administration will be portrayed is another factor why those trainees should not be sent back to the unemployment market. You will agree with me that if anyone among them happens to be our brother or sister, we would not have wished them such an ill luck. In as much as the present administration is for the masses and not for the few rich, it must be guided against negative perception by the masses. The present trainees in the NIS constitute part of the teaming unemployed youths in our society. In my opinion, the issue of politics should not come into play in their recruitment, nobody can come out and boast hundred percent that they are all PDP candidates. The president might have contested and won the election under the APC political platform but when it comes to governance, he is a president to everybody regardless of whether you are PDP, APC, APGA, LABOUR, KOWA, etc. Even if we agree that the last administration made a political blunder by employing them at the tail end of their tenure, the punitive measure which is being undertaken by the leadership of the service (CGIS) should be enough to neutralize such blunder. My little knowledge of mathematics says minus multiply by minus gives us plus (positive). These youths should not suffer for the sins they know nothing about.

Lastly is the effort of their trainers and resource persons. There is no doubt that the three months their induction lasted was a period of busy schedule for their trainers, instructors and resource persons. They have equally sacrificed a lot to make sure that these youths are well groomed in order to prepare them well for the challenges ahead. It is my opinion that the efforts put by these officers and men should never be in futility.

In conclusion, the president remains a father and president to all regardless of political affiliation. Opportunities abound everywhere to this administration that is trying to put Nigeria on the right track. Take this great step and RECALL THE DISPERSED #NIGERIAIMMIGRATION2000.