By Tony Adibe
Authorities of the Nigerian Army (NA) have expressed worry for what they regarded as a lack of interest among Nigerian youths of Igbo origin in joining the military, urging them to join the force to end the speculations that Igbo people are being marginalized in the military.
They gave the advice on Friday during a stakeholders’ sensitization exercise on the need for Igbo youths to join the military. The event was held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, where dignitaries in attendance included the Local Government Chairmen, the traditional rulers, President Generals of Town Unions, the student union, and others.
NewsBits reports that the development is coming after a series of complaints made by some Igbo youths during similar fora in the past, when they alleged undue discrimination and unfair treatment meted against them, unlike their counterparts from other geo-political zones, by those in charge of the recruitment process in the military. Such an issue has not been properly addressed, the youths claimed.
However, the team leader of the Nigerian Army Recruitment Sensitization Exercise, Brigadier General Chima Ekeato, said the Nigerian army targets about 250 applicants from each of the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
He explained that the Nigerian Army has categories of applicants for enrolment into the military. He said the age limit for an applicant with an O-level Certificate is 18 to 22 years, while an applicant with a Trade Test Certificate is 18 to 26 years.
The number of Igbo people during each Army recruitment exercise reduces on a yearly basis, thereby reducing the slots of the zone and by extension, could deprive them of military opportunities in the future, according to him.
Ekeato explained that many factors could contribute to disqualification during army recruitment based on the military standards, but not as a result of being an Igbo person.
Speaking on behalf of the local government chairmen, the chairman of, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, bemoaned the ill-treatments meted against the Igbo people in the military. Edeh, however, lauded the army for its willingness to make amends, and assured their readiness to encourage any youth who wants to join the military.
On his part, the commissioner for youths and sports, Hon. Lloyd Ekweremadu, assured that the government would always play its part in ensuring that the youths of the state get enrolled into the military.
Chairman, Igboeze South Local Government Area, Hon Ferdinand Ugwueze, Udi Local Government chairman, Hon. Hyginus Agu, and the chairman of the Association of the President Generals, Enugu State Chapter, Arinze Ogbodo in their separate speeches, urged Igbo youth who want to join the military to join.
