By NewsBits
The Enugu State Government has commenced campaign to all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to persuade the youth to enlist in the Nigeria Police Force.
The government said the qualified youths in the state were yet to fill in the quota given to Enugu State, adding that it was worried that the gap would affect the state in future if youths failed to fill them.
Aka Eze Aka, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, stated this when he led a team to Aninri and Awgu Council Areas on Wednesday on sensitization of the youth.
The commissioner who said the Nigeria Police had on October advertised that young people between the ages of 18 and 25 were expected to join police, said it appeared that Enugu youths did not show interest in it.
“So, Gov. Peter Mbah directed that we sensitise our people on the need of enlisting in the Nigeria police. That is why we gather traditional rulers, President Generals, Youth Leaders, and Councillors here today.
“Truly, we will be missing our opportunities if we fail to get recruited as the quota for Enugu State is yet to be filled up and government is worried that this gap will affect us in near future.
“If you notice in all the police check points, they are other tribes, and we are asking where the Igbos are?” Aka asked.
Aka, who expressed displeasure on how Igbos were complained of being marginalized in police, said how could they be at the head if they were nonchalance to be enlisted.
“Mbah is interested to ensuring that the youths of the state utilized the quota as he promised to assist those indicated interest to join the force. We are pleading that our people who are qualified to grab the opportunity and get registered.
“You should see police as a good job, those on the roads are not the only police officers and the concern of our governor is that our quota must be filled,” he said.
The Commissioner further enjoined them to take the message to those at the grassroots, stressing that the ongoing sensitisation would be carried out across the 17 Council Areas of the state.
A media consultant, Mr Ugwu disclosed that the ongoing recruit needed only Secondary School Certificate to get enlisted. He, however, urged the youths to imitate Mr Frank Mbah who was recently promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
Also, speaking, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government, Mr Ogbonnaya Ajah, while emphasising the need for the youths of the area to join police, said, “In police they have medical doctors, engineers, mechanics, electricians and many other profession you can be part of”.
He commended Mbah for initiating the campaign, stressing that it would help in creating employment for Enugu people. Meanwhile, some of the youths who spoke on challenges facing them, said they were tired of spending money without being recruited.
They also blamed poor internet connectivity to access the portal and willingness to register but had grown the age required. Others are the issue of National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Nathan Okorie from Aninri LGA, said he registered in 2019 and passed all the exams but was not selected, adding that he had outgrown the age of requirement.
Source: NAN.