Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Youths in the South-East have been advised to join the Nigerian Army and discard the non-existent speculations that Igbos are being marginalised in the military.
Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, Leader of the Nigerian Army Recruitment Sensitisation Exercise, said this during a stakeholders’ sensitisation exercise held on Saturday in Enugu.
The event attracted Chairmen of the 17 local government areas of the state, traditional rulers, the student union, amongst others.
Ekeator said that the Nigerian army targeted about 250 applicants from each of the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
According to him, the Army had categories of applicants for enrollment into the military, adding that the age limit for an applicant with O’level certificate is 18 to 22 yeaes, while an applicant with Trade Test Certificate is 18 to 26 years.
He disclosed that the number of Igbos during each army recruitment exercise dwindles on a yearly basis thereby reducing the slots of the state.
“By extension this could deprive the state of military opportunities in the future,” he said.
He further said many factors could contribute to disqualification during army recruitment based on the military standards, but not as a result of being Igbo.
Speaking on behalf of the council bosses, the Enugu State chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Okechukwu Edeh, decried the obvious ill-treatments against the Igbos 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.
Also the state commissioner for youths and sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, assured that the government would always play its part in ensuring that the youths of the state get enrolled into the military.
