Okpebholo pushes army recruitment driver

With Edo State recording just 291 applicants out of a possible 300 to 400 slots in the ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment exercise, the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stepped in personally to boost participation.

Okpebholo received an Army delegation at Government House in Benin City on Wednesday, launching a state-wide sensitisation drive.

The visit was part of a nationwide campaign tied to the 91 Regular Recruitment Intake, which opened on March 30 and closes on May 17. Nationwide, about 38,000 applications have been received, but Edo’s figure remains well below expectations.

Okpebholo said his administration had already begun publicising the exercise and would intensify outreach across all local government areas.

“Yesterday, I received your letter very late. When I went through it, I saw your request to create awareness, which we are already doing. I want you to take advantage of our Edo Broadcasting Service. I will speak with the Managing Director to grant you access for interviews if necessary,” the governor said.

He added that local government chairmen would be directed to spread the information at the grassroots.

“I will be meeting with the local government chairmen and will direct them to spread the information across all local government areas. It is important that we meet our quota. We are going to take this seriously to ensure our people are aware of what is happening,” he said.

Okpebholo also appealed to the Army to extend the application deadline to give youths in rural communities without internet access a fair chance.

“Yesterday, I received your letter very late. When I went through it, I saw your request to create awareness, which we are already doing. I want you to take advantage of our Edo Broadcasting Service. I will speak with the Managing Director to grant you access for interviews if necessary,” the governor said.

He added that local government chairmen would be directed to spread the information at the grassroots.

“I will be meeting with the local government chairmen and will direct them to spread the information across all local government areas. It is important that we meet our quota. We are going to take this seriously to ensure our people are aware of what is happening,” he said.

Okpebholo also appealed to the Army to extend the application deadline to give youths in rural communities without internet access a fair chance

“I will also beg you to extend the time. There are many people in communities without internet access who may not be aware of this opportunity,” he said.

The leader of the Army delegation, Brigadier General M. U. Ikobah, commended the governor for his commitment to security and development in the state.

He said the Nigerian Army plans to recruit about 14,000 personnel nationwide, translating to roughly 300 to 400 recruits per state.

Also present at the meeting were the Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff, Hon. Yakubu Musa; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua; and Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen, among others.

Following the meeting, the sensitisation campaign moved to the New Festival Hall of Government House, where over 300 youths were addressed and encouraged to spread the message across their local government areas.

The Nigerian Army periodically conducts nationwide recruitment exercises to replenish its ranks and meet manpower needs across its various formations.

The 91 Regular Recruitment Intake, the current exercise, comes at a time when security challenges particularly in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the South-South, have placed increasing demands on the military.