Lagos State Government appeals to Indigenous youths to enlist in the military.
Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, made the appeal during a meeting in Ikeja with the PCRC Chairman and members.
Salu-Hundeyin said that keeping the nation secure is everyone’s business and serving in the military is a way to serve the state and the nation.
She said it’s sad to know that not many local youths are signing up for the military, as we saw at the last recruitment.
According to her…
“We discovered that in the military in Nigeria, Lagos State has been seriously short-changed. We hardly have people there. So, we are looking at this opportunity now, that it should not escape indigenes again.
“The military is about security of a nation, and security of any nation must be everybody’s business. It should not be for a particular group only, but because everybody cannot wear uniform, the government, in its wisdom, now says those of you that want to do this job, you will apply.
“Unfortunately, in Lagos State, our children don’t like to join the military. They don’t see any reason why they should be part of the army. If your state does not participate, you are short-changing your state.
“We all know that security is key. We cannot leave you to the hands of only a certain people. I think it is a disservice to our country, for me to come from Lagos State, and be eligible, and I refuse to join. I am not being a good Lagosian or a good Nigerian,” she said.
“Today, the military is not just about gun carrying, even though they teach them to carry guns, because that is a basic thing. You can be a medical doctor there. You can be a nurse, you can be a mechanic.
“You can do anything if you are in the military. So, it’s not as if it is a bad thing to do.
“It is the number one service you can give to your nation. It is a great service, it is a service you should be proud to be part of.
“It is a thing of pride, and we should let our youth know that the greatest thing they can do to themselves and for their country, for their state, is to be a part of the military,” she added.
Apostle Kehinde Sowemimo, Chairman of PCRC, Lagos State Command, also said that it’s a recurring thing, especially in the southwest, that parents don’t want their kids in the forces.
Sowemimo said…
“It is not, because there are other professions in the military, and of course; some people must also defend your community; defend your environment; defend your tribe, defend your country.
“It cannot be only one part of the country that will be defending the country. You must all come together to defend the country, so that it is not one-sided.
“So, it is continuing education of our people, letting them know that military is not signing off to death. Joining the military or joining the Police is enhancing your generational belief, that is making your community to be safer, and that makes your generation to be safer,”
The chairman said the committee’s main goal is to support the government’s security efforts in local communities, working with the police to make the area safer.
Opinion: Lagos Govt Pleads with Nigerian Youths to Join Army
To solve this, one aspect the military should look into is the welfare of its soldiers.
There is a general belief among youths and even parents that entering the military, especially as a recruit, is choosing to suffer.
I know the military is a call to service, but the welfare is also important. This should not just be limited to those in DSSC.
Work on this and watch the youth troop in.
God bless the Nigerian soldiers.