The Nigerian Army has expressed serious concern over the low number of youths registering for its ongoing recruitment exercise in the South-East.
Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, who leads the Army Force Headquarters Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra State, revealed on Thursday, April 17 that only 200 youths from the entire South-East region have registered so far.
He made this known during a sensitisation event for youth leaders and President-Generals (P-Gs) of communities in Anambra.
“This sensitisation is necessary because, according to records, only 200 persons have registered from the South-East, while in other states, not less than 4,000 persons have registered,” Ekeator said.
He urged community leaders to actively encourage young people to join the military through this ongoing recruitment drive.
In response, Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghambah, promised that the state government would intensify efforts to get more young people involved.
He also called on traditional rulers and P-Gs to help by mobilising at least ten youths per community to register and take part in the recruitment.
Supporting the appeal, Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, emphasized that the recruitment is mainly for youths between the ages of 18 and 22 and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity.
This concern comes just days after the Nigerian Army publicly raised the alarm over poor enlistment rates from the South-East, urging a change in mindset to ensure more regional participation in national security efforts.
