SOLOLOM ODENIYI FROM PUNCH
The Community Auxiliary Development for Effective Transformation Network, popularly known as CADETN, on Monday, said holding a guard of honour was part of the organisation’s standard protocol to welcome dignitaries to its events.
A viral video of the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, inspecting a Guard of Honour has drawn criticism from some sections of the public. On Sunday, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, called for an investigation into the reported military honours given to the President’s son. He described the gesture as an “anomaly” and a “serious breach of military tradition.”
Reacting in a statement by the Corps Commander, CADETN, Josh Fatoye explained that the gesture was not exclusive to the son of the President, Seyi Tinubu.
Fatoye stated that the guard of honour, which took place at the CityBoy Youth Empowerment Program in Ogun State, was also extended to other dignitaries at the event. He said the dignitaries included the Personal Assistant to the President on Special Duties, the Minister of Youth Development, the Minister of Digital Economy, and the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Citizenship & Leadership, as well as Digital Communications and New Media.
He said, “As a youth uniformed volunteer organization, we want to set the record straight and clear misconceptions about the Guard of Honour. It is of note that the guard of Honour was used to welcome dignitaries to the event as it is a youth empowerment programme and the organisation is a youth organisation.“
The guard also honoured other dignitaries like the PA to the President on Special Duties as the program played host to many dignitaries like the Minister of Youth Development, Minister of Digital Economy, SSA to the President on Citizenship & Leadership, SSA to the President on Digital Comm & New Media, CoS to Ogun State Governor and so many other dignitaries that graced the occasion This was not exclusive to Seyi Tinubu.”
Fatoye further stated that the CADETN operates as a youth-focused uniformed voluntary organisation, similar to Man O’ War and Peace Corps, and is neither a military outfit nor affiliated with the Armed Forces. He added, “The CADETN is a youth uniformed organization and not a military outfit and also not in any way affiliated to the military or Armed Forces as been claimed by some mischief makers.
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