Edo Government has urged chairmen of local councils to intensify sensitization on the recruitment into the Nigerian Army.
Secretary to the State Government, Osariodion Ogie Esq., made the call during a courtesy visit by a team of senior army officers from the Army Headquarters on Sensitization and Advertisement Tour for Nigerian Army Regular Recruitment intake 87, at the Government House, Benin City.
Ogie who stood in for Governor Obaseki said, “When I received a call that Brigadier General Wiito Lucky Nzidu was leading the team to meet us over the sensitization on the recruitment of officers, what occurred to me was this must be a serious one.
“From your analysis, I am not surprised because even within us, it has been a thing of great concern when the Navy, Air Force, and even when the Police come around to ask that we plead with our people to take up the opportunities to come forward to be examined whether they are fit or proper to be committed. As a State Government, the Nigerian Army is one of the most respected national institutions.”
He added, “As we were talking, I started asking myself how are we going to do some of these things differently so more of our boys and girls will come forward for the recruitment exercise and one thing that came to my mind is to invite all the council chairmen between now and Friday and let them know the importance of getting the message to our people.
“We will get them to reach out to traditional institutions so that this message can get to the grassroots. You requested that we appoint a State Liaison Officer. I will immediately assign the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, to be the State Liaison Officer and we are going to go ahead to make radio and television announcements to let our people know the importance and the need to make sure our quota is filled.
“We appreciate this visit. We are going to assist you as you are assisting us, to get our people to step forward and take advantage of this opportunity.”
Ogie added, “I want to use this opportunity to thank the military as an institution for keeping Edo and the country safe.”
On his part, the leader of the team, Brig. Gen. Wiito Lucky Nzidu said, “Our Chief of Army Staff has sent me here. Other senior officers are in other geopolitical zones across the country doing this same sensitization and awareness campaign with the view to ensuring some of these selected States see the need and reason why they need to fill up their quota with their vibrant sons and daughters into the Nigerian Army. That is why we are here.
“Edo State is not utilizing its quota in the Nigerian Army; you need your sons and daughters to contribute to national security.
“Once there is Army recruitment, a quota is given to every state, if you are not filling your quota, I think something is wrong somewhere. I don’t want us to, in the very near future, begin to cry that we are marginalized in the Army whereas the problem is from us.”
