Anger as army charges N2, 500 for recruitment

The Nigerian Army has said that members of the public who are interested in getting enlisted into the service must part with N2, 500 to participate in the recruitment exercise.

The Army Headquarters, through the office of the Army Secretary, noted that eligible Nigerians who fail to pay the recruitment fee would be denied access to the electronic application portal designed for the exercise.

The army authorities said First Bank of Nigeria branches nationwide would receive the recruitment fees on behalf of the service, from applicants who would then get a scratch card that will enable them to gain access to the online application portal.

The military service is recruiting officers into its Direct and Short Service Combatant Commission, Corps of Supply and Transport and Army Medical Corps, some of whom would be deployed in the North-East to take part in the ongoing campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents in the region.

"Applications are to be made online. The following will apply: Obtain a PayChoice PIN Code from any branch of First Bank nationwide upon the payment of N2, 500 application fee to the designated cashier with effect from May 14, 2014.

"Applicants are to complete the form online and upload all required documents stated in the general instructions. Applicants must print out their online-generated photo-card on completion of their application. Successful applicants are required to present their printed photo-cards to the selection board during the interview," the Nigerian Army stated on its website, nigerianarmyms.org.

However, a widespread outrage has trailed the decision of the army to charge the applicants willing to enlist in the military service, especially when the House of Representatives had warned government institutions against collecting employment fees.

Political blogger, Babatunde Rosanwo, kicked against what he described as another Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment scenario.

According to him, it is wrong for the army authorities to monetize the recruitment exercise at a time when the country needs able-bodied men and women who will defend its sovereignty.

He argued that since the army had had recruitment portal on the ground before now, it shouldn't have considered the option of profiting from the exercise.

Rosanwo tweeted, "It is ridiculous to pay for application forms to serve Nigeria. Joining the army or police should come at zero cost to applicants. The army is recruiting at a time the nation needs men of honour to defend our sovereignty, yet it is selling application forms.

"This means that the Nigerian army application process has been monetized even when it has its own online payment portal. After the Abba Moro immigration recruitment scandal, the military authorities have learnt nothing.

"These people are all the same as all government agencies seem to be in business – including security agencies that should be above the fray. All sectors are infected with 'anyhowness,' and government must stop all forms of payment for job applications in Nigeria. It is a wicked scheme."

Another online commentator, Olasunkanmi Daniel, wondered what purpose the N2, 500 would serve in the coffers of the army.

"In this time of crisis the country has found itself, the Nigerian Army also wants people to come and pay N2, 500. What exactly is the money for? Is it for their transportation to Sambisa forest?" Daniel asked.

He urged the military high command to direct the army to scrap the fess in order to enable more patriotic Nigerians to volunteer their services to the nation.

"I think what they should be looking for now is volunteers who will join the force to bring back our abducted girls and ensure that peace is finally restored to the troubled North Eastern part of the country," he added.

Describing the recruitment fees as shameful, Ismail Abdul expressed bitterness over the development.

"Here we go again. Nigerian youths being asked to pay N2, 500 for army recruitment. This is another immigration scenario. Shame Nigeria, shame!" Abdul wrote in a Twitter post.

A Nigerian based in the United Kingdom, Ogbeni Dipo, asked the Federal Government to stop the army from further collection of the fees.

"I hope the Nigerian Army will scrap that N2500 application fee and do this recruitment fast, train the lads, and enlist them. We shall overcome all of these challenges. I am confident that Nigeria shall be a peaceful country again soon and very soon," Dipo wrote on his Twitter feed.

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