The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday, expressed concern over the persistently low enlistment of youths from the South-East geopolitical zone into the Nigerian Army.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu made this known during the passing-out parade of the pioneer batch of 90 regular recruits at the Nigerian Army Recruit Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State.
He noted that the recruitment quota allocated to the South-East had remained largely unfilled for several years, describing the trend as unacceptable.
The Army Chief, however, appealed to traditional rulers, parents, community leaders and other stakeholders in the region to encourage eligible young men and women to take advantage of the recruitment opportunities available in the Nigerian Army.
According to him, military service is not merely a career but an honourable calling that embodies patriotism, leadership and national service.
He said: “We ask for your continued support because military service is very demanding. Please stand by them, encourage them and pray for them.
“To our hosts, the Ndigbo, I humbly appeal to you to encourage your youths to take their rightful place in the defence of our fatherland.
“For some time now, the recruitment quota allocated to this zone has not been fully utilised. This should not continue. Military service is not just a career but an honourable endeavour of patriotism, leadership and national contribution.
“I therefore urge community leaders, parents, guardians and elders across the South-East to encourage our young men and women to regard this depot as their own and step forward
