Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, on Saturday recalled his time at the National Defence Academy(NDA), and declared that “the unforgettable experience usually transform boys into men”.
Monguno spoke in Abuja at the launch of a book titled “Rumbles in the New Academy”, written by Sub-Lt. Olufemi Akinwumi.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that in the book, the author recounted his experiences and that of other cadets while at the NDA.
According to Monguno, even the cadets, at the point of admission, did not know the kind of person they would be when they are eventually commissioned.
“As soon as you cross that gate and you are adopted into a new company (or battalion, as is the case now), you drop your old self and begin to discover your new self.
“And, on the day of commissioning, all you are left with is a new person with a new set of values which you will carry on for the rest of your life.
“But, more conspicuously, the most notable feat is the change in attitude, the transition from boyhood to manhood,” he said.
He maintained that the experience, though intense, was a good one as it forged relationships.
“These are very genuine friendships which do not expire.
“We tend to gloss over some of our experiences in the military academy and what we went through; it is important we also remember that it was all in the effort to train and retrain ourselves,” he said.
He commended the author for the initiative to document his experiences in writing, and also praised the research he conducted to balance the perspectives presented in the book.
Monguno said that the book highlighted the importance of aggregating what had been in existence, especially for civilians who had not experienced the academy.
It will equally serve as a reminder for those with the NDA experience, he added.
Monguno, however, emphasised that his use of “boyhood to manhood” was not in exclusion of the female cadets.
He commended NDA’s inclusive nature and highlighted the need for women in the regular combatant training.
He also praised feminism and urged the inclusion to reflect in other areas of life.
The author, Sub-Lt. Olufemi Akinwumi, in his remarks, said that he felt the need to document his experiences in writing to avoid the memories fading or becoming tampered with by perspective, time or nostalgia.
“Memories, with time, become obscured with perception; over time, people tend to remember what they want to remember, not necessarily exactly what happened.
“One could have an experience today and tomorrow your brain could convince you that something else happened, so I thought it wise to document my experience in the NDA,” he said.
He disclosed that in order to get a complete and accurate account of experience at the academy, he obtained perspectives from other cadets, instructors and commandants.
“I had to conduct interviews across genders, courses and perspectives. This is important because over 11,800 cadets had been in the academy before me.
“If I only recounted my own experience, it wouldn’t have been complete and I wouldn’t have covered it all, so I had to go a bit further,” he said.
Akinwumi expressed optimism that future generations would take a cue from his work and continue to document their experiences over time.
“Institutional experiences are very important, and the earlier they are being documented, the better for that institution,” he added.(NAN)
