The Nugerian Army has urged the Igbo youths to join the Army, saying it is high time the zone fills up the quota been allotted to them.
The team leader of the Nigerian Army Recruitment Sensitisation Exercise, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator made the appeal during a stakeholders’ sensitisation exercise held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.
Those in attendance were the Local Government Chairmen, the traditional rulers, the student union, among others.
He said the number of applicants from the south east does not meet up to expectation during each Army recruitment exercise thereby reducing the slots of the zone compared to other zones in the country, and by extension, could deprive them of military opportunities in future.
Brigadier General Ekeator enjoied the Local government council chairmen and the traditional rulers to sensitise the youths on the need to join the Army, stating that the army expect about 250 applicants from each of the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu state
The Army Officer, further said many factors can contribute to disqualification during army recruitment based on the military standards, such factors like health grounds and but not as a result of being an Igbo person.
Brigadier General Ekeator said.
The Army has categories of applicants for enrollment into the military, adding that 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.
Speaking on behalf of the council bosses, the chairman, Association of the Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, commended the army and assured their readiness to encourage any youth who wants to join the military.
Also the state 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 military.
Others who spoke were the chairman, Igboeze South Local Government Area, Hon Ferdinand Ugwueze and his Udi counterpart, Hon. Hyginus Agu, as well as the chairman of the Association of the President Generals, Enugu state chapter, Mr Arinze Ogbodo
They all commended the Army for the sensitization and urged the youths of the zone to take advantage of this great opportunity so the South-East zone will be fully represented.
Questions like mode of entry, monthly salaries and qualifications for entry were asked by few participants and the the Brigadier General throw more light in explaining this issue’s.
