The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has promise to help raise awareness among Abia youths about joining the Nigerian Army.
Otti stated this in government house Umuahia on Wednesday while receiving in audience a delegation of the Year 2025 Nigerian Army Recruitment Awareness Team, from Army headquarters, Abuja, led by Brigadier General Chima Ekeator.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Calab Ajagba, said that the government would set up the necessary structures to make sure that those that fall within the age bracket that is being recruited are sensitized.
He said, “We will help to make sure that Abians, especially the youths, will embrace this opportunity
“We are going to set up the necessary structures to make sure that those that fall within the age bracket that is being targeted will also see the need to be part of the general progress, of the general vision of the Nigerian Army in order to make sure that there is adequate security in this nation.
“We will also pass the information to youths who are within the catchment group, being targeted for this exercise
“One thing we can assure you (the Nigerian Army) is that, going forward, this sensitization is going to become more regular”.
Otti commended the Nigerian Army for its interest in ensuring that the Southeast is fully integrated into the Nigerian Army, saying that it is good that the institution has continued to interface with those at the local level: the Mayors and the traditional institutions.
“I want to deeply appreciate you. We are quite impressed by the professionalism that the Nigerian Army has continued to display.
“Coming around at a time like this to make sure that the Southeast is fully integrated into the Nigerian Army is the way to go,” Otti stated.
The Governor noted the importance of security to the economic development of a nation.
“No matter what you invest, no matter the level of infrastructure that you provide, if there is no conducive environment which is a by-product of very sound security, even the people would be scared to even come close and will not appreciate the level of infrastructure in this place.”
He equally appreciated the Nigerian Army for its sacrifice and commitment to making sure that every part of the country is carried along and maintained that everybody has a role to play to make sure that the goal of sensitizing Abia youths in enlisting into the Nigerian Army is actualized.
Earlier, the team leader of the Year 2025 Nigerian Army Recruitment Awareness Team, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, said they came to sensitise youths from the South East on the need to take up the slots given to the Southeast during the Nigerian Army recruitment.
He said that the leadership of the Nigerian Army has observed that the slots given to the Southeastern states during recruitments are barely taken up by applicants from the region, hence,e they were sent to sensitize youths from the region on the need to take up the slots given to the Southeast during the Nigerian Army recruitment.
Ekeator regretted that the region is losing out during recruitment exercises, citing a case of last year where Abia was given almost 200 slots , but only 53 slots were taken up. He added that it is the same case in other Southeastern states.
He added that the Nigerian Army is working to change the narrative.
While thanking the governor for assistance given so far, he informed that they have gone around and held town hall meetings with traditional rulers and Mayors to ensure the message reaches the target audience.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Projects, Dr. Chukwuemeka Meribole, Commander 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General H.M Bello and Lieutenant Colonel R.O Alieze were present at the visit.
