The Nigerian Army has called on youths from Abia State and across the South-East to heed the national call to service by joining the military.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Umuahia during the maiden edition of an awareness campaign organised by the Army’s Department of Civil-Military Affairs. The programme brought together youths, traditional rulers and representatives of civil society groups.
Speaking at the event, retired Major General Gold Chibuisi, who served as the guest lecturer, urged South-East youths to reconsider their stance toward military service and explore the various career opportunities available in the Army, including fields such as medicine, law, engineering and other professional areas.
He dismissed concerns about alleged profiling of Igbo soldiers and rejected claims that soldiers from certain regions are deliberately sent to the most dangerous battlefronts.
Chibuisi assured participants that soldiers from the South-East would enjoy equal opportunities in terms of welfare, career growth and promotion, while also encouraging parents to support their children who wish to join the military.
Also addressing the gathering, retired Major General Chukwunedum Abraham revealed that recent recruitment statistics showed low participation from South-East states. According to him, Imo State recorded only 671 applicants, while 428 people applied from Ebonyi State, figures he described as significantly lower compared to other geopolitical zones.
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, explained that the awareness campaign was designed to educate youths and community leaders about opportunities in the Army and to address misconceptions about the military institution.
Alex Otti urges youths
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor Alex Otti reiterated his call for youths in the state to consider military service. He expressed concern that Abia has consistently recorded low application numbers during Army recruitment exercises.
Otti, however, expressed optimism that the awareness campaign would help change the narrative and encourage more young people from the state to enlist in the Nigerian Army.
