Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has restated his administration’s readiness to assist in sensitizing Abia youths for recruitment into the Nigerian Army.
Governor Otti who stated this at Government House Umuahia, while receiving a delegation of the Year 2025 Nigerian Army Recruitment Awareness Team, from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja led by Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, disclosed that his administration would set up the necessary structures to make sure that those that fall within the age bracket that is being recruited are sensitized.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, commended the Nigerian Army for its interest in ensuring that the South East region is fully integrated into the Nigerian Army, adding that it is good that the institution has continued to interface with those at the local level especially the Mayors and the traditional institutions.
“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,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive while noting the importance of security to economic development of any nation, further applauded the Nigerian Army for its sacrifice and commitment in making sure that every part of the nation is carried along in the recruitment process, also stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in making sure that Abia youths are adequately sensitized and enlisted into the Nigerian Army.
“I want to deeply appreciate you. We are quite impressed by the professionalism that the Nigerian Army has continued to display.
“No matter what you invest, no matter the level of infrastructure that you provide, if there is no conducive environment which is a bi-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”.
“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,” Gov. Otti stated.
In his speech earlier, the team leader, Year 2025 Nigerian Army Recruitment Awareness Team, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, while commending Governor Otti for his assistance, said they came to sensitize youths from the South East geopolitical zone on the need to take up the slots given to the region during the Nigerian Army recruitment.
Brigadier General Ekeator explained that the leadership of the Nigerian Army having observed that the slots given to the South Eastern states during recruitments are barely taken up by applicants from the zone, had sent them to sensitize youths from the region on the need to take up the slots given to the South East during the Nigerian Army recruitment exercise.
He however regretted that the region is losing out during recruitment exercises, citing the case of last year where Abia was given almost 200 slots but only 53 slots were taken up, also disclosed that they have gone round and held town hall meetings with traditional rulers and Mayors to ensure the message reaches the target audience.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Projects, Dr. Chukwuemeka Meribole, Commander 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General H.M Bello and Lieutenant Colonel R.O Alieze were present during the visit.
