The Rivers state government Wednesday advised youth in the state to enroll in the ongoing military recruitment exercise.
The government also assured the recruitment team from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, led by Brig. Gen. Wito Nzidee, of its commitment to persuade the youth to enroll in the ongoing 89″ Regular Recruitment Intake for Trades/Non- Tradesmen and Women.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. lbibia Lucky Worika, gave the assurance during a visit to his office in Port Harcourt by the team from the Army Headquarters.
He noted that His Excellency, Vice Admiral lbok-Ete Ekwe lbas (rtd.), the administrator of Rivers state, as a former military officer understands the benefits of joining the Nigerian military and will consequently encourage the youth to join.
Prof. Worika stated that his office will review state enlistment processes to ensure that gaps are closed in order to end the abysmal performance of the state in terms of youth joining the military.
“I have always admired the military, and it pains me that our youth do not seem to be taking the advantage that is being offered by the Nigerian military.
“We will scale up the sensitisation to ensure the people are aware. We have written to the heads of local government areas. We will review to note the gaps in the processes of sensitisation that has resulted into this abysmal performance of the state in terms of youths joining the military. You cannot imagine the advantage they would have gained if they had taken this initiative. We must encourage our youth that there are alternatives,” he stated.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Brigadier General Wito Nzidee, said they were in Rivers state for a sensitisation exercise, just as he called on the government to do more in getting youth to register in the online recruitment portal of the Nigerian Army.