My Course 44 experience in NDA between 5th – 17th August, 2016.
Nigerian Army was not among the career path I would ordinarily love to apply for Ceteris Paribus (All things being equal) but we evidently know nothing appears to be equal presently. Though I loved the Army for nothing beyond what they represent. Recession, Unemployment, retrenchment among others can make one reconfigure his future, coupled with the thought that I had no one to help me, at least mum would not miss any opportunity to remind you each time the opportunity presents itself that “Tope, we have nobody but God and he that has God has all”. I still doubt if I may have applied if it cost a fee as low as #20 after my experience with Nigerian Navy in 2015- Thank God for President Buhari’s free application policy. After successful registration, it was now time to sign it. Who do I know that can sign this thing? Nobody! We eventually called someone that knows one that can sign it, though not without series of “know your village questions”. Like every other applicants it was prayer time to make the shortlistment. Words cannot express how happy I was on the 29th July, 2016 at about 10:50pm when I eventually managed to check my Whatsapp and my secondary school classmate Jolaosho had snapped and sent me the part hosting my state of The Punch Newspaper. My joy was inexpressible. I could hardly sleep that night till about 0300hrs (Military method of referring to simple 3:00am) due to excitement, praying and thanking God. Thereafter it was time for rigorous exercise so as to be able to meet the 3.2km race and check my medical status. I was finally going to become an officer with the Nigerian Army. I arrived Kaduna for the screening at about 1400hrs (2pm) on the 5th of August. Navigation to the location wasn’t much of a stress with the aid of my hommie, Ebika. Twenty-three (23) of us were in attendance in Ondo state among the 30 shortlisted. We converged at the NDA sport complex adjacent the NDA barracks gate. The heavy downpour introduced memorable cold. The reduction of the rain saw the coming of an officer that came to call each state alphabetically, with our bags on our head and running towards the gate we were shouting loud and repeatedly this exact words “wawa ya zo” (fool has arrived). A semi-apron-like blue tag containing a 2 lettered abbreviation of state of origin and number was issued to every candidate, to be worn all through the screening exercise (mine was ON46). Officially, we were to be known and regarded by this tag number. Also, it is this number you would send to your sponsors for influential purposes if you have one. An adhoc screening board made up of a Major General (the president of the board), a Brigadier General, 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. You would hear words like ON46, which LG you from? People rarely calls you by your first name even if he knows you prior to the exercise. It is not a rule of thumb but fun.
The first screening stage was vetting of candidates credentials under the drill shed opposite the parade ground to ascertain their authenticity and validity. Candidates who were flagged for eviction resulting from credentials screening were subjected to a review where their credentials were reviewed prior to final eviction.
The next screening stage was writing an aptitude test. The test comprised of 4 sections: An essay (WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY) of 500words and 40 obj questions most of which were German obj. The test lasted 2hours. It was gathered that the test was aimed at gauging our communicative ability, so more attention was paid to the essay and English objective questions. I still wonder why a certified graduate would fail such. Some candidates were evicted based on the result of this test. The aptitude test stage did not need a review, of course. You don fail you don fail. No argument.
The next screening stage was the much dreaded ALMIGHTY MEDICAL and PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. The condition we were subjected to would induce hidden/unknown ailment to showcase their selves. We sat on the parade ground from about 0700hrs – 1800hrs, under the sun except on few occasions. Jogged to and fro Cadet’s Mess where we had our meals. As a result of our overwhelming numbers and the number of tests we were supposed to undergo, we were divided into various groups. We went by state alphabetically to 1div hospital, new NDA site, for blood tests, Urine analysis, physical examination, dental, optical examination, checking of Blood pressure and BMI. My state, Kogi, Taraba, Kwara, Osun, Plateau were the last set that went to the Medical Reception Station (MRS) for Xray. 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. Here comes the power of prayer. I was called to be reviewed for flat foot that is obviously absently absent by the same person who initially viewed me. He gave me no chance as he was saying before my entrance “it’s there, it’s there”. As a Catholic before I got in I prayed the Holy Rosary and begged the Mother of Christ Jesus to please appeal to her son on my behalf to help me scale through, and she did. I know she did because I am still in the race. Evictions resulting from the medical and psychological tests was, perhaps, the most touching and monumental. It was like judgement day. Captain Abdullahi aka Captain Jesus was always telling us that medicals must drop over half of all of us whether we like it or not. Captain Jesus is the Ali Baba of NDA, his wits is outstanding. But for Captain Jesus and few others, the exercise would have been like hell. He was always there to douse the tension. The medical test comprised of:
DENTAL EXAMINATION: The alignment, number and grip of our teeth were checked. The doctors will say the word “C” which I later realized may mean cleared if you have no problem.
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.
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 before and during deep inhaling was also measured.
BLOOD PRESSURE READING: Being in a cool environment that is surrounded by green vegetation and coupled with the rain prior to our test that was done at about 2000hrs (8pm), majority of us didn’t have temperature and BP issues. Optimal reading is considered 120/90 or 110/80, while anything more than 140/90 was considered unfit for the rigors.
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, Blood sugar among others. I guess our blood group and genotype were also checked.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Here, we were required to strip naked, asked to stand upright 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 pile.
The medical and physical examinations took almost 5days to conclude the whole states. Any state that finishes its medicals proceeded to do the psychology tests.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
During the Psychology tests, 2 Lieutenants (Lt Abel and Lt Ogbole) shared a booklet containing questions that tried to figure out our history of stimulants/drugs usage. After completion of the form you will be required to come for physical evaluation that takes less than 3seconds and your vindication or indictment rests solely at the discretion of the interviewer. Thus I was indicted. Those of us that he considered suspicious were further reviewed based on our answers. I was not really fortunate at this stage maybe because Lt Abel discretion suggested to him that I look like an alcoholic or drug addict but thank God for the scientific method of enquiry that eventually vindicated me.
The results of the medical and psychology tests were announced together and candidates considered to have any issue not manageable were consequently evicted. I was vindicated at this stage as nothing was detected. Those of us that were suspected to consume one “illegal” drug or the other were required to urinate in a plastic sealed cup for further observational and laboratory analysis after psyching us to voluntarily own up. Alcohol usage may have raised controversy among candidates because almost most young man has, at one point or the other, taken a sip of the contents of the green bottle. However, other classes of stimulants used via smoking, inhaling, sniffing or injecting may have disqualified some candidates. Items like Shisha, Codine, Cannabis, Tramadol, Rochi etc were looked out for. 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 up for eviction. All members of the board arrived the parade ground to meet orderly but very anxious candidates. Alphabetically from Abia - Zamfara state the board secretary calls out names of candidates who were required to shout on the top of their voice, Yes Sir! With a leap and, along with their credentials, jogs to the front of the parade ground and sits on the ground with their belongings. 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 all our belongings the next morning. The next morning, around 7am, 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?” 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. 3 lucky people who were evicted for being overweight were later reconsidered. Then those that were evicted were individually called out and told the reasons for their eviction after which their beloved tags were taken away from them. As they left NDA gate, I guess some cried.
THE RACE
The eviction for medical ushered in the 3.2km race. Unexpectedly, we were comparatively less to run the race after the eviction. The PT Major came to address us on the route and rules guiding the race. We were expected to make the race in less than 18mins to qualify for first box (10point), 19mins second box (8points), 20mins third box (6points), 21mins fourth box (4points), 22mins fifth box (2points), above 22mins (0point) which will be added advantage to our overall selection process. By grace and practice I was able to make it in 15mins – my personal worst record since I usually make it in less time before then- crowd and anxiety may have been a contributing factor. We were told they intend to pick 8 and 2 reserves. I came 5th in my state among the seven of us that made first box. Thereafter we proceeded to the obstacle crossing.

OBSTACLE CROSSING
As soon the last person arrived the PT instructors started taking stat of everyone. Thereafter we were required to sit down at the NDA sport complex. Subsequently words like “your mama toto, god punish your mama became norm for failing to comply with command with the speed of light”. The PT had 9 obstacles we underwent. The first was a 3ft high goal post-like iron that we were required to jump without touching. Next is same as first except that we were required to jump across while placing one hand on it and swing our legs across. The third is the jumping across a six feet wall with the support of your hands. The fourth is the Barbed wire crossing, here you have to crawl like crocodile for less than 10meters – I envisage problem for fat people at this stage. At the fifth stage we were required to cross a 10meter ladder-like structure laying horizontally by swinging our hands till we cross the ladder. Sixthly, we utilized a rope that swings us from one point to another. At the seventh stage, we were required to jump across a 6feet long ditch. Last but not least required us to pass through a tunnel about 10feet long. Finally and most challenging was an estimated height of 20feet that requires us to touch it peak via a formidable rope. A good percentage of candidates could not get to it peak but graciously I did. All these stages each had their marks.
THE BOARD INTERVIEW
Immediately after the PT exercise on 13/08/2016, was interview for the Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom. Subsequently they attended to an average of eleven states/day. This time we were ordered to barb shining skin cut as pre requisite for the interview otherwise there is consequence – like being rowed on the ground.
Wednesday 17th August 2016 ushered in my interview date. Ondo were the first. As soon as I got in I was required to recite the National Anthem. Then I was offered a sit. My discipline was enquired which was the basis for further questions. As an Economist I was required to talk on Recession, price ceiling, price floor, and how many states has river attached to their names, mention four country in South America, and that was all. Your confidence and dressing were assessed. As soon as my state was done we were marched like every other state to the lines to pick our belongings and then escorted out of Ribadu Cantonment where NDA is located.
I hope to be among those that will be considered because till this day we are anxiously waiting for God almighty to complete his work. If you don’t believe you don’t need man to get to the Academy please do because God can use man to your favour even against his wish. There is a limit to what earthly godfathers can do.
Finally, I count it all joy. God did it on the 23rd November, 2016 when family, friends and well wishers were calling left, right and centre to congratulate me.

THE OFFICERS:
Lt Ogbole - In my view he is a calm young man. Not unnecessarily overzealous. Doing the needful.
Lt Abel - I honestly think he has a good heart though I still wish to ask him why he had to review me for psycho test. I still ask people till date if I look like an addict of any kind. He succeeded in sending shock to my spine the first day we got to NDA when he said “Candidates’! You see, what I will do to you the devil will scream, Jesus! Why will he do this to his fellow human?”
Capt Abdul- Aka German dose. You need such people in the Army to sustain it manpower quality though you will not say same if you are on the receiving end. Always serious but later realized he has a human face too. German dose commands fear among candidates. If anyone jests that German dose is coming you can be sure the whole place will be in order in less than 3seconds.
Capt Abdulahi – Aka Capt Jesus. Am sure the candidates that likened him to Jesus will never forget him. Very realistic, he is the person you need to see when the going gets tough. He possess a rare ability to infuse fun in pain. He breaks bad news in a way that you will be looking forward to it. His favorite word is “Candidates! Am a very useless person, is that clear?”
Lt Col Oyekola- if am to judge him by the standard he represented I guess Nigeria needs lots of his kinds that believes in merit and not God-Fatherism.
GOD BLESS MY MUM!
GOD BLESS ALL COURSE 44!!
GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMY!!!
GOD BLESS NIGERIANS!!!!
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!!!!!