Army Tasks Rivers Indigenes to Join Military

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Stakeholders and leaders of Rivers and other South-South States have been advised to encourage their youths to join the military.

Acting Director Supply and Transport Services, Army Headquarters, Department of Army Logistics (DOAL), Brigadier General Wiito Nzidee, made the call when he led a sensitisation team on the ongoing Nigerian Army 87 regular intake for trades/non tradesmen and women, to Rivers State.

The programme was aimed at sensitising the people on the need to encourage their youths to join the military.

Addressing journalists during the sensitisation programme at the Garrison Command of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Brig. Gen. Nzidee disclosed that Rivers was leading other states in the region with the lowest representation in recent recruitments into the army.

He lamented that the state was not utilising its quota when it comes to recruitment into the Army.

He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, was worried by the low representation of Rivers indigenes in the army, and sent his team to visit the state and sensitize the indigenes, encourage the youths to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment to join the military.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Liet. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja in his wisdom has sent us to carry this message to the nooks and crannies of not just Niger Delta but, of course, Rivers State that you are not utilizing your quota in the Nigerian Army.”

He said the sensitisation campaign was not just for Rivers State alone, but that they have had similar programme at Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States.

“With the messages we have passed to these states, it has changed their misconception about the military and they have come to understand that its good to join the Army.

“The enlistment is ongoing as we speak, the portal was opened on the 3rd of May, and will close on the 7th of June. Let me shock you that, as at today, some states are already having about 1400 persons that have been enlisted, others 1200, 800, 700 and so on, but Rivers State is just about 40 people,” he said.