By Nnanna Nwogu
The Nigerian Army has expressed concern that youths from the South East are shunning recruitment into the army, highlighting the need for sensitisation.
The team leader of the Year 2025 Nigerian Army Recruitment Awareness Team, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, who was in Umuahia on Wednesday, stated that they came to sensitise youths from the South East on the importance of taking up the slots allocated to the region during the Nigerian Army recruitment.
Speaking during his visit to the state governor, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator noted that the leadership of the Nigerian Army had observed that the recruitment slots allocated to Southeastern states were barely filled by applicants from the region. Consequently, the team was sent to sensitise youths on the need to take advantage of these opportunities.
Ekeator expressed regret that the region is losing out during recruitment exercises, citing an example from last year when Abia State was allocated nearly 200 slots, but only 53 were taken up. He added that similar situations were observed in other Southeastern states. He assured that the Nigerian Army is working to change this narrative.
While thanking the governor for the assistance provided so far, Ekeator informed that the team had conducted town hall meetings with traditional rulers and mayors to ensure the message reached the target audience.
Responding, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, stated that the government would establish the necessary structures to ensure that those within the recruitment age bracket are sensitised. He assured, “We will help to make sure that Abians, especially the youths, embrace this opportunity.”
According to him, “We are going to set up the necessary structures to ensure that those within the targeted age bracket see the need to be part of the general progress and vision of the Nigerian Army, to ensure adequate security in this nation.
“We will also pass the information to youths within the catchment group targeted for this exercise. One thing we can assure you is that, going forward, this sensitisation will become more regular.”
Otti commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts to ensure that the Southeast is fully integrated into the Nigerian Army, noting that the institution has continued to engage with local stakeholders, including mayors and traditional institutions. He added, “I want to deeply appreciate you. We are quite impressed by the professionalism that the Nigerian Army has continued to display.”
Otti emphasised the importance of security to the economic development of a nation, stating, “No matter what you invest, no matter the level of infrastructure you provide, if there is no conducive environment, which is a by-product of sound security, even the people would be scared to come close and would not appreciate the level of infrastructure in this place.”
He commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifice and commitment to ensuring that every part of the country is included. He maintained that everyone has a role to play in achieving the goal of sensitising Abia youths to enlist in the Nigerian Army.
