The Nigerian Army has called on youths in Abia State and other South-East states to respond to the national clarion call by joining the Army and contributing to national service.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Umuahia during the inaugural edition of an awareness campaign organized by the Nigerian Army’s Department of Civil-Military Affairs, targeting youths, traditional rulers, and civil society groups.
The guest speaker at the event, Maj Gen Gold Chibuisi (Rtd), urged South-East youths to stop shunning military service and to explore career opportunities in the Army, including fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and other specialized areas.
Gen. Chibuisi sought to allay fears regarding the alleged profiling of Igbo soldiers, dismissing claims that junior soldiers from certain regions are routinely sent to dangerous war fronts. He assured South-East youths that their promotion and welfare would not be compromised and encouraged parents to support their children in enrolling.
Also speaking, Maj. Gen. Chukwunedum Abraham (Rtd) highlighted data from the last Army recruitment, noting that only 671 applicants came from Imo State and 428 from Ebonyi State, figures he described as very low compared to other geopolitical zones.
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, explained that the programme was designed to sensitize youths and opinion leaders about career opportunities in the Army while dispelling misconceptions about the force.
In his remarks, Abia State Governor Alex Otti reiterated his call for Abia youths to enroll in the Nigerian Army, emphasizing that the state should no longer rank among the lowest in military recruitment.
Governor Otti expressed concern over the historically low number of applications from Abia in past recruitment exercises but pledged that his administration would leverage the maiden awareness campaign to change the narrative and boost enlistment from the state.
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