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HND/BSC Dichotomy: Concerned NSCDC Officers Writes Tinubu, Others
HND/BSC Dichotomy: Concerned NSCDC Officers Writes Tinubu, Others
Following the disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and University Degree holders, some concerned men and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have called on the federal government to wade into the issue.
The group who was lamenting the ill-treatment and lack of career progression in the Corps said the disparity in the scheme of service has resulted in a lack of morale booster for holders of HND holders in the NSCDC.
It could be recalled that recently, the Federal government removed the dichotomy between degree and higher national diploma certificate holders in the civil defence, fire, immigration, and prison services.
There has been a disparity between holders of the two academic qualifications in the civil service. At the entry point, degree holders are usually a notch higher on the grade level than their diploma-holding counterparts.
But while lamenting the lack of equal treatment by the Corps, the Concerned HND holders in NSCDC said the 2012 intakes who are HND holders in NSCDC are being badly treated, compared to their mates in other Sister Agencies under the same Ministry of Interior.
” HND holders were recruited into the NSCDC in the year 2012 as Inspector of Corps rank (Grade Level 07). The same year, on the same process, NCE holders were placed on GL 07 and Bsc holders on GL 08.
“This was based on the conditions of service at that time, which was a bad indicator of suppressing some set of people instead of encouraging competency and proactiveness between HND holders and Bsc, as is found in other Sisters Agencies for effective service delivery because of how sensitive security responsibility is.
“We wrote the Confirmation and Promotion examination in the year 2014, with the Bsc counterparts, being the statutory year to be confirmed, according to Public Service Rules.
‘The Bsc holders were advanced, but rather, in our case, we were not advanced neither properly placed nor promoted after passing the COMPRO exam, contrary to extant regulations
The group said in 2016, there was another replacement/recruitment exercise, and all Officers recruited then as Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASCII) were all given automatic promotions to the next rank while all HND holders recruited in 2012 were still in stagnation as Inspectors of Corps. (Grade level 7) till 2018.
But in 2018, the Federal Government enforced the removal of the HND/BSC dichotomy, and this order was implemented in other Sister Para-military Agencies under the Ministry of Interior since the year 2016. That, therefore, became a saving grace for HND 2012 intakes to progress to ASCII (Level 8) in 2018
“Majority of our Bsc holders, counterparts, that we were recruited together in the year 2012, are now hanging the rank of Superintendent ( Eagle, i.e. GL 11), while up to 95% of us, HND holders of 2012 recruits, are painfully stagnated to one star( ASCII, GL 08) up till now i.e. year 2023!
“After being denied promotion exams for many years, 2022 made it the 4th consecutive year that we have been writing and passing promotion examinations, yet, without promotion!
“All other categories of personnel, including SSCE, NCE and Trade test holders have been writing promotion exams, as at when due, except the holders of the HND 2012 intake who have been variously denied for several years!
“Some junior officers that were recruited in 2012 with CAIII, GL 03, (The least rank) who later got themselves enrolled in Part-time degree programs, were not only converted to the Senior rank but also inexplicably got promoted to two-star (ASCI, GL 09), thereby placing them above us that were recruited initially with HND Certificates in 2012!
“Since April 16, 2012( 11 years down the line), when we were nominally enlisted into NSCDC, the majority of us don’t know what a promotion letter looks like. Even the so-called 2016 Advancement, up till now, there is no letter issued to that effect!
“It has become an annual ritual in NSCDC that Officers from the junior cadre get converted into the Superintendent cadre, thereby creating an unnecessary and questionable shoot-up in the number of senior officers in the Corps, and also making promotion to the next rank extremely difficult, to the detriment of us that were recruited with HND certificate in 2012!
“Having removed the dichotomy, The NSCDC started upgrading both the holders of Bsc and HND of 2019 intakes together. Those who got recruited and trained in the year 2022 were decorated with one star. This means they will be hanging two stars as soon as their COMPRO results are considered, just like their colleagues in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), are already in two stars. Without mincing words, this places us in an uncomfortable, unpalatable and unacceptable position of having to be juniors to two batches of recruits after us (i.e. 2016 and 2019 intakes)!
“Our career stagnancy after 11 years of enlistment into the active service of NSCDC is unfair and unjust. There is no gainsaying this is alien to the Public Service Rule which stipulates that officers in our cadre should have a maximum of three years before they get promoted to the next rank. We shouldn’t be made to write another promotion exam this year again as we have been grossly shortchanged in the years back.
The group then called on President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President and all concerned to look into their matter and restore them to the right rank which reflects their years of service, just like the 2012 Bsc holders and HND holders in other Sister Agencies.
U.S. STRIKES YEMEN’S HOUTHIS: ESCALATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
-At Least 19 Killed as Trump Orders Massive Retaliatory Strikes on Yemen
Washington, D.C. / Sanaa – March 15, 2025 – In an unprecedented escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, vowing that “hell will rain down” should the group continue its attacks on Red Sea shipping. The offensive, which officials warn could last for weeks, has already resulted in at least 19 deaths, including civilians.
The strikes come in response to a surge of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, which have disrupted global trade routes and threatened U.S. military assets in the region. Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran, the Houthis’ primary benefactor, stating, “America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”
Escalating Tensions and Civilian Casualties
In the capital, Sanaa, at least 13 civilians were killed and nine others wounded in the U.S. airstrikes, according to the Houthi-controlled health ministry. Additional reports indicate that six people—including four children and a woman—were killed in the northern province of Saada, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV. The Houthis have condemned the attacks, calling them a “war crime.”
“Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation,” the group’s political bureau warned in a defiant statement.
Residents in Sanaa described the horror of the strikes. “The explosions were violent and shook the neighborhood like an earthquake. They terrified our women and children,” said Abdullah Yahia, a local resident, in an interview with Reuters.
The Largest U.S. Operation in the Middle East Under Trump
This marks the most significant U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that Saturday’s strikes are part of a sweeping operation aimed at crippling the Houthis’ offensive capabilities.
Houthi forces have launched more than 100 attacks on maritime vessels since November 2023, significantly disrupting global commerce. The U.S. has spent billions intercepting their missile and drone attacks, depleting air defense stocks. The Houthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.
A Regional Power Struggle: Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas
While Iran’s other allies—Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—have been significantly weakened by Israeli military action, the Houthis remain resilient. Their aggressive attacks have resulted in two sunken vessels, the seizure of another, and at least four fatalities among seafarers, forcing shipping companies to reroute at great expense.
Despite previous U.S. strikes under former President Joe Biden, the Houthis maintained their campaign. Now, with Trump escalating military efforts, the conflict threatens to engulf the region further. The latest U.S. assault was launched from fighter jets aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea.
Iran and U.S. on Collision Course
Trump’s administration had recently sought diplomatic engagement with Iran, with a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, Khamenei firmly rejected talks.
“Iran’s support for the Houthis must end immediately,” Trump declared, raising the stakes with Tehran. The Pentagon, echoing Trump’s stance, warned that any further Houthi aggression would be met with “overwhelming lethal force.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with the possibility of wider regional conflict looming. As the world watches, the question remains: Will these strikes deter the Houthis, or will they lead to an all-out war in the Middle East?
Nigerian Born US based Music Star, Tunde Success, to launch new album ‘Cornerstone’
The City of Philadelphia would be set agog on 17th May, 2025, as the creative and Nigerian born music star, Tunde Success is launching new album that day.
According to the information made available to us, the launching of ‘Cornerstone’ the new effort of handsome and dark Tunde Success is taking place at Philly in suites, 4444 City Avenue Philadelphia P A 19131.
The epoch making event is proudly sponsored by the Star Lager beer. To make the event a memorable one, Mama D Catering would supplied hot Amala on the spot, while Amazing Grace Catering is going to tantalize the event with jolly rice and shawarma.
The red carpet interview would be anchored by 360 Delight Creation.
While speaking about the event, Tunde Success, a multiple awards winning singer, however, promised to make the day, a moment of joy, entertainment and plenty faajis for all the guests. He also enjoined all his fans to come out enmass to support him.
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