Nigerian Army has expressed concern over lack of interest of the Nigerian youth of Igbo extraction in joining the military, urging them to join the force to end the speculations that Igbo people are being marginalized in the military.
They made the call on Friday during a stakeholders’ sensitization exercise on the need for Igbo youth to join the military ,, held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.
The team leader of the Nigerian Army Recruitment Sensitization Exercise, Brigadier General Chima Ekeato, said the Nigerian army targets about 250 applicants from each of the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu state.
He explained that the Nigerian Army has categories of applicants for enrollment into the military. He said the age limit for an applicant with O’level Certificate is 18 to 22, while an applicant with Trade Test Certificate is 18 to 26 years.
According to him, the number of Igbo people during each Army recruitment exercise reduces on a yearly basis, thereby reducing the slots of the zone and by extension, could deprive them of military opportunities in future.
He said many factors can contribute to disqualification during army recruitment based on the military standards, but not as a result of being an Igbo person.
Speaking on behalf of the local government chairmen, the chairman, Association of the Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, decried the ill-treatments meted against the Igbo people in the military, He commended the army for its willingness to make amends, and assured their readiness to encourage any youth who wants to join the military
On his part, the commissioner for youths and sports, Hon. Lloyd Ekweremadu assured that the government would always play its part in ensuring that the youths of the state get enrolled into the militar
Chairman, Igboeze South Local Government Area, Hon Ferdinand Ugwueze , Udi Local Government chairman, Hon. Hyginus Agu, and the chairman of the Association of the President Generals, Enugu state chapter, Arinze Ogbodo in their separate speeches, urged Igbo youth who want to join the military to join
Dignitaries in attendance were the Local Government Chairmen, the traditional rulers, the student union, among others.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama