The Nigerian Army has urged young people Abia state and other South-East states to respond to the national call to service by enlisting in the military.
The appeal was made in Umuahia during an awareness campaign organised by the Army’s Department of Civil-Military Affairs for youths, traditional rulers and civil society organisations.
Speaking at the event, retired Major General Gold Chibuisi encouraged South-East youths to reconsider military careers, noting that the Army offers opportunities across various professional fields including medicine, law, engineering and other specialised disciplines.
He dismissed concerns about ethnic bias within the military and rejected claims that soldiers from particular regions are deliberately deployed to more dangerous operational areas.
Chibuisi also assured prospective recruits that the military provides equal opportunities in welfare, promotion and career advancement, while urging parents to support children interested in joining the Army.
Another retired officer, Major General Chukwunedum Abraham, expressed concern over the low number of applicants from the South-East during the most recent recruitment exercise.
According to him, statistics from the last recruitment showed that Imo State recorded only 671 applicants, while Ebonyi State had 428 applicants, figures significantly lower than those seen in several other geopolitical zones.
Also addressing participants, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, said the outreach programme was designed to educate young people and community leaders about career opportunities in the Army while correcting misconceptions about the institution.
