Man O' War (paramilitary)

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Man O' War (paramilitary)
Active1951; 73 years ago (1951)
CountryNigeria
BranchYouth organization
TypeVoluntary paramilitary organization
RoleCommunity Development, Youth Training
HeadquartersCitizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Abuja
Nickname(s)Man O' War Club
PatronEmir of Kano, Ooni of Ife, Obi of Onitsha
Motto(s)Build the Man, Build the Community
Websitemanowarng.org
Commanders
Co-founderSasa Ita Offiong Nsemoh
Co-founderEbiri Oteiri Okoro
Director GeneralAdesoji Eniade
National CommanderSani Adamu Despia
Deputy National CommanderAdedamola Gbenga
Deputy National CommanderRev. Kriss Natty Rissi
Deputy National CommanderKabiru Yusuf Kobi

Man O' War is a voluntary paramilitary organization in Nigeria, founded in 1951.[1][2]

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

Man O' War traces its origins to 1951 when the Man O' War Bay was established in Southern Cameroon, near Lake Victoria and Mount Cameroon, by Alec Dickson.[3] The organization was inspired by the principles of the British Outward Bound School.[4]

One of the early adopters of Man O' War ideals was the Hope Wadell Training Institute in Calabar.[5] Notably, Sasa Ita Nsemoh and Ebiri Oteiri Okoro, who later became influential figures in Man O' War, were students at this institute and participated in various activities, including membership in the Boys Scouts and the Man O' War Club.[6]

Establishment of the Man O' War Club, University of Ife[edit]

In 1971, Sasa Ita and Ebiri Okoro, fresh graduates of the Hope Wadell Training Institute, entered the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1972.[7] Their experiences as Man O' War members and their involvement in the Nigerian Civil War (1967 – 1970) inspired them to create an organization aimed at instilling self-reliance, discipline, and physical fitness in university students.[8]

The University of Ife's vice chancellor, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, supported their proposal, and the Emir of Kano, the Ooni of Ife, and the Obi of Onitsha became Patrons of the club. On 5 May 1973, the Man O' War Club, University of Ife, was established.[9] The club received official recognition from the university's Director of Student Affairs (DSA) and became a prominent student organization within the institution.[10]

On 21 January 1974, the club was allocated a training base within the university campus, and it received support from subsequent vice chancellors. The Nigerian Army also recognized the club's potential and provided logistical support.[11]

Expansion and influence[edit]

The success of the Man O' War Club at the University of Ife inspired the creation of similar units at other universities.[12] In 1976, additional units were established at the University of Lagos, Ado Bayero University in November 1977, and the University of Ibadan by 1984.[13][14]

National Union of Man O' War Clubs in Colleges and Higher Institutions of Nigeria (NUMOWCHIN)[edit]

NUMOWCHIN was established in 1981 with the aim of unifying Man O' War clubs in higher institutions across Nigeria.[15] Ifeolu Adewumi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Man O' War club at the University of Ife, was elected as the first Supreme Commandant (National President) of NUMOWCHIN.[16][17]

In recent years, NUMOWCHIN has experienced internal tensions and reduced acceptability among higher institution students.[18]

Efforts to reconcile conflicting parties within NUMOWCHIN in 2000 failed due to allegations of misconduct by the Auchi Polytechnic club.[19]

Revival efforts[edit]

Recent efforts have been made to revive NUMOWCHIN. Chief Coordinators from various Man O' War clubs agreed on the necessity of deliberate efforts to revive NUMOWCHIN during a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in 2006.[20] Similar efforts are underway in other geopolitical zones of Nigeria.[21][22]

Organizational structure[edit]

Man O' War operates with a hierarchical structure,[23] including:

  • National Command: Comprising all 6 Regional Commands.
  • Regional Command: Comprising all 36 State Commands, FCT Abuja, and Railway Command.
  • State Command: Comprising all Area Commands.
  • Area Command: Comprising Multiple Units.
  • Unit: The smallest base of Man O' War Nigeria.
  • NUMOWCHIN (Cadet): Comprising all Units in Primary, Secondary Schools, and Tertiary Institutions.[24]

Vision and mission[edit]

Man O' War Nigeria envisions a nation where people and communities coexist in peace, harmony, and mutual respect through sustainable community development, contributing to the socio-political and economic well-being of the nation in alignment with the Citizenship & Leadership Training Centre's goals.[25][26][27]

The mission of Man O' War is to direct human resources towards rendering community services and creating unique life experiences that promote self-awareness.[28][29][30]

Establishment of Man O' War[edit]

The establishment of Man O' War is governed by Section 8b of the Military Act, operating as a Uniform Organization with a ranking structure under the centre's supervision.[31] The organization focuses on training for responsible leadership, safety & rescue, good citizenship, social & security services, and community development. It also serves as a reserve force for security agencies and is involved in community policing and security observations.[32]

Man O' War has formations in all Nigerian states, including Federal Capital Territory Command and Railway Command.[33][34] Additionally, Man O' War cadets are present in primary schools, secondary schools, and higher institutions of learning.[35][36]

History of Man O' War Bay Training Centre[edit]

Man O' War Bay Training Centre, later known as Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), was influenced by the outward bound type of education developed by Kurt Hahn.[37] Han founded the first outward bound school in Aberdovey, Wales, in 1941.[38][39] Alec Dickson, with an interest in community development, established the Man O' War Bay Training Centre in 1951 in Victoria, Southern Cameroon. It gained legal status through an ordinance published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 45 of 10 August 1960, and was modified by Decree No. 38 of December 1989.[40][41][42]

The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre is an affiliate member of the Outward Bound Organization present in over fifty countries.[43][44] It was the first in Africa and the second in the world, having trained over seven million Nigerians from various backgrounds in its more than fifty-four years of operation.[45][46]

The centre operates as an informal institution, using environmental challenges to instill core values such as courage, trust, integrity, and compassion for others in participants.[47][48]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fund Man O' War to curb insecurity, FG urged - Daily Trust". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  2. ^ Ewumbue-Monono, Churchill (2009). Youth and Nation-Building in Cameroon. A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009): A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009). African Books Collective. ISBN 978-9956-558-32-2.
  3. ^ Lewis, L. J. (2014-05-16). Society, Schools and Progress in Nigeria: Society, Schools and Progress Series. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4831-3648-6.
  4. ^ MD, Dele Babalola (2015-10-09). Tai Solarin: Africa'S Greatest Educationist and Humanist. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-5144-4039-1.
  5. ^ Citizenship and Rural Development. Education Committee, Afizere Youth Movement. 1997.
  6. ^ Man O' War Bay Training Centre. 1958.
  7. ^ Office, Great Britain Colonial (1952). Nigeria. H.M. Stationery Office.
  8. ^ Nigeria Year Book. Daily Times of Nigeria. 1962.
  9. ^ Community Development in the United Kingdom Dependencies. British Information Services, Reference Division. 1958.
  10. ^ Anderson, Carlyn Dawn (1979). Nigeria, a Country Study. Headquarters, Department of the Army.
  11. ^ Bureau, United States Foreign Commerce (1957). Investment in Nigeria: Basic Information for United States Businessmen.
  12. ^ Ugwuegbu, Denis Chima E. (2011-09-12). Social Psychology and Social Change in Nigeria: A Systematic Evaluation of Government Social Policies and Programs. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4620-1327-2.
  13. ^ Ewumbue-Monono, Churchill (2009). Youth and Nation-Building in Cameroon. A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009): A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009). African Books Collective. ISBN 978-9956-558-32-2.
  14. ^ Report by His Britannic Majesty's Government on the British Mandated Sphere of the Cameroons for the Year ... H.M. Stationery Office. 1951.
  15. ^ "Man O' War Nigeria". manowarng.org. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  16. ^ Oyero, Kayode (2021-06-20). "My 1981 encounter with Buhari showed he's tribalistic –Ex-Man O'War leader". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  17. ^ Library, Los Angeles County Public (1970). Adult Catalog: Subjects. Los Angeles County Public Library System.
  18. ^ West Africa. Afrimedia International. 1977.
  19. ^ The Book Buyer's Guide. 1963.
  20. ^ "Fuwape Eulogizes FUTA Man O' War at 30". The Federal University Of TEchnology Akure. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  21. ^ The National Union Catalogs, 1963-: A Cumulative Author List Representing Library of Congress Printed Cards and Titles Reported by Other American Libraries. Library of Congress. 1964.
  22. ^ The Journal of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Royal Commonwealth Society. 1960.
  23. ^ Chukwudiebere, Mercy (2022-04-02). "Voluntary organisation inducts new Commanders". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  24. ^ "Volunteerism without pay highly demanding - Man 'O' War". The Nation Newspaper. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  25. ^ Bankole, Idowu (8 January 2022). "Insecurity: Man O'War inaugurates 30-man cttee for smooth running in S-west". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Security: Man O' War solicits state governors' support". P.M. News. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Man 'O' War Restates Commitment to Youth Development - THISDAYLIVE". Thisday. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  28. ^ Lewis, L. J. (2014-05-16). Society, Schools and Progress in Nigeria: Society, Schools and Progress Series. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4831-3648-6.
  29. ^ Division, United States Bureau of Foreign Commerce Near Eastern and African (1957). Investment in Nigeria: Basic Information for United States Businessmen. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Foreign Commerce.
  30. ^ "Security: Gov. Makinde to Engage Man O War Officers in Schools - Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station". radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  31. ^ "Insecurity: GLEMDI Tasks FG On Improved Funding Of Man O' War - News Agency Of Nigeria". News Agency of Nigeria. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  32. ^ Office, Great Britain Colonial (1954). Report by Her Majesty's Government to the General Assembly of the United Nations on the Cameroons Under United Kingdom Administration.
  33. ^ Musa, Sophinat (1 July 2022). "Man O' War to be established in schools in Abia ― National Commander". Tribune Online. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  34. ^ Akamnonu, Dr Oliver (2010-04-27). Suppers of Many Dishes Ii: My Odyssey to the West and Beyond: My Odyssey to the West and Beyond. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4500-8508-3.
  35. ^ "Insecurity: Oyo govt to engage Man O' War to secure schools". Premium Times. April 30, 2021. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  36. ^ "Insecurity: Oyo to deploy Man O' War operatives to schools". TheCable. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  37. ^ Man O' War Bay Training Centre. 1958.
  38. ^ Linstrum, Erik (2016-01-04). Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-08866-5.
  39. ^ Ewumbue-Monono, Churchill (2009). Youth and Nation-Building in Cameroon. A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009): A Study of National Youth Day Messages and Leadership Discourse (1949–2009). African Books Collective. ISBN 978-9956-558-32-2.
  40. ^ Nigeria Government Gazette dated 1960-08-10 number 45. 1960-08-10.
  41. ^ "Nigeria Gazettes 1989 - Gazettes.Africa". gazettes.africa. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  42. ^ Nigeria Government Gazette supplement dated 1989-12-13 number 72 part A. 1989-12-13.
  43. ^ Bailkin, Jordanna (2012-11-15). Afterlife of Empire. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-28947-5.
  44. ^ Library, Great Britain Colonial Office (1964). Catalogue of the Colonial Office Library, London. G.K. Hall.
  45. ^ Ardener, Edwin (1996). Kingdom on Mount Cameroon: Studies in the History of the Cameroon Coast, 1500-1970. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-1-57181-929-1.
  46. ^ Department, Nigeria Federal Education (1959). Annual Report of the Federal Education Department for the Year ... Federal Government Printer.
  47. ^ "Gang Leader Killed As Man O' War Paramilitary Group Repels Attack On Fish Farm In Abuja | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  48. ^ Division, United States Foreign Operations Administration Community Development (1955). A Selected Bibliography on Community Development. Foreign Operations Administration.

External links[edit]

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