Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has encouraged youths in the state to take advantage of recruitment opportunities in the Nigerian Army.
Speaking during the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) sensitization programme for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake, the Governor noted a significant surge in interest, with current applications already far exceeding the less than 500 recorded two years ago.
Represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien, the Governor commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative and thanked local government council chairmen across the state for their massive mobilization efforts.
He emphasized that the military is a place for the fit and disciplined to excel, rather than a reformatory for the wayward.
“The military is a place to build leadership; it will not rebuild you,” the Governor remarked, urging local government chairmen to properly screen candidates and ensure they do not miss their allotted slots for effective representation.
The sensitization exercise also featured a high-powered delegation led by Brigadier General Moses Ikobah, who is spearheading the recruitment sensitization campaign across the South-South region.
Highlighting the Army’s commitment to balanced and equitable representation, General Ikobah noted that the journey, which began in Benin City and passed through Delta and Bayelsa, has now arrived in Uyo to ensure that Akwa Ibom youths are not left behind in this national call to duty.
General Ikobah revealed that for the 91 Regular Recruit Intake, the Nigerian Army intends to recruit a total of 14,000 personnel across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
While Akwa Ibom State currently leads the South-South with 805 applications out of a nationwide pool of 48,988, the General described the figure as “modest,” expressing optimism that it could rise to at least 1,002 following the intensified sensitization drive.
“It is vital that Akwa Ibom is adequately and competitively represented to strengthen the state’s presence at the national level,” Brigadier General Ikobah noted.
On his part, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government and Chairman of ALGON, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, hailed the recruitment drive not only as a security necessity but also as a transformative career path for the state’s vibrant youth population.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Army offers a prestigious platform for young people in Akwa Ibom to channel their energy into national service while securing a stable and honorable future.
