The Community Auxiliary Development for Effective Transformation Network (CADETN) has responded to public backlash over a viral video that showed Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, inspecting a guard of honour at the CityBoy Youth Empowerment Program in Ogun State.
The video, which garnered significant attention on social media, attracted criticism from various sectors, including former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Abubakar, in a statement issued on Sunday, called for an investigation into the reported military honours extended to the President’s son. He described the incident as an “anomaly” and a “serious breach of military tradition.”
In response, CADETN Corps Commander Josh Fatoye issued a formal statement on Monday, asserting that the guard of honour was part of the organisation’s standard procedure to welcome dignitaries to its events. Fatoye emphasized that this gesture was not reserved for Seyi Tinubu alone but was extended to several other prominent figures who attended the event. He listed some of the dignitaries who received the guard of honour, including 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 and Digital Communications & New Media. Fatoye also mentioned that the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor and other high-profile guests were honoured with the guard.
“As a youth uniformed volunteer organisation, the guard of honour is a ceremonial practice used to welcome dignitaries to our events. It is part of our tradition to honour those who support our mission of youth empowerment,” Fatoye explained. He further stressed that the guard of honour was used for the CityBoy Youth Empowerment Program in Ogun State and was intended to highlight the contributions of various leaders to youth development across the nation.
CADETN, according to Fatoye, operates as a youth-focused uniformed voluntary organisation, similar to other non-military groups such as Man O’ War, Peace Corps, and the WAI Brigade. He clarified that CADETN is neither a military unit nor affiliated with the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Corps Commander categorically denied claims that the organisation used military paraphernalia or live ammunition during the guard of honour ceremony.
“We would like to state categorically that no ammunition was used and no military paraphernalia was used during the guard of honour, contrary to the claims of some critics. The guard of honour was mounted using wooden dummy rifles, as is common in many uniformed organisations. Any weapons seen in the video belong to the security details of the dignitaries and are not affiliated with the organisation,” Fatoye asserted.
He further addressed the misconception that CADETN was involved in military practices, stating, “We are a voluntary, youth-driven organisation that serves to empower young people. We are not part of the military, nor do we seek to engage in military practices.”
Fatoye concluded by affirming that CADETN remains committed to its core mission of promoting youth empowerment and leadership development. He also reiterated the organisation’s intention to clear up any misunderstandings surrounding its activities.
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