Brigadier-General SK Usman, the former Director of Army Public Relations, reflected on his early years in the Nigerian Army, saying difficult living conditions never pushed him toward crime, while stressing that discipline and personal values remained central throughout his military career and service.
Usman explained that he joined the army as a very young soldier and had to pay for basic accommodation built almost entirely with zinc sheets, recalling that entering his room required bending because the structure had extremely limited headroom every day.
During the interview, he stated, “when I joined the army, I joined as a young soldier, barely a teenager. I had to pay for my accommodation. It was made of zinc on the left, right, front, back, and even the roof. In fact, whenever I entered my room, I had to bend down. Did I go into crime? No.”
He argued that difficult economic circumstances should not automatically be used to justify criminal conduct, maintaining that many Nigerians endure hardship without engaging in unlawful activities, while individual character and upbringing remain important influences on personal decisions and behavior.
The retired general also acknowledged that soldiers deserve improved welfare and continuous support, adding that authorities should keep reviewing salaries, housing, healthcare, and other social benefits to match present realities while recognizing the sacrifices made by military personnel nationwide.
In his concluding remarks, Usman maintained that integrity remains a personal responsibility regardless of hardship, insisting that although welfare should improve continuously, individuals must resist criminal behavior and uphold discipline even when confronted with difficult living conditions and economic challenges.