The sensitisation team, led by Brigadier General Olusegun Opeyemi, made this known during an engagement with traditional rulers,community leaders and youths held at Olowu Palace , Oke-Ago Owu Abeokuta , Ogun State Capital.
Opeyemi said the exercise was necessitated by the need to improve Ogun State’s participation in the recruitment process, noting that the state had previously failed to meet its expected quota of applicants and successful candidates.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, directed that the sensitisation campaign be intensified to ensure that more qualified indigenes of Ogun State take advantage of the recruitment opportunity.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, deemed it fit to intensify this sensitisation exercise so that this year, hopefully, and I know and I’m confident, with this engagement that we’re having now, would boost the number of applicants and those that will be subsequently selected to join this noble profession of the Nigerian Army,”he said.
He disclosed that online registration for the 92 Regular Recruitment Intake commenced on September 9 and would close on October 21, urging eligible Nigerians, particularly youths in Ogun State, to apply before the deadline.
Opeyemi explained that the recruitment was open not only to non-tradesmen but also to skilled applicants, including electricians, carpenters, drivers, technicians, engineers and those in the medical profession.
He said non-tradesmen and women must be between 18 and 22 years of age, while tradesmen could apply from 18 up to 26 years.
The Army team leader further stated that applicants must be Nigerian citizens, possess a National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN), have no criminal conviction and possess at least four passes, including English Language, in relevant secondary school examinations in not more than two sittings.
He also listed valid birth certificates and certificates of state of origin among the requirements, stressing that applicants should apply using their state of origin rather than their state of residence.
On physical requirements, Opeyemi said male applicants must be at least 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must be at least 1.65 metres.
He, however, acknowledged concerns previously raised over the height requirement and promised to relay the feedback to Army Headquarters.
“Kabiyesi sir, I know last year, I think one of the complaints was the height requirement. This is already being looked into and I’m sure it will receive favourable response. We, on our own part as a team, will take this feedback to Army Headquarters,” he said.
The Brigadier General also highlighted the benefits of a career in the Nigerian Army, including job security, regular pay and allowances, medical services, pension and gratuity, specialised training, educational opportunities and scholarships.
He said personnel could also receive opportunities for local and overseas training and further their education through sponsored academic programmes.
“One of the greatest benefits of serving in the military, Nigerian Army in particular, is not getting job security—that is guaranteed. But one of the benefits, in fact, the foremost, is to be among men and women that can sacrifice and defend the nation and its people, Nigeria in general, anywhere in the world, both locally or overseas,” he stated.
He added that military service provides opportunities for social integration, allowing personnel to live and work with Nigerians from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds across the country.
Also Speaking, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, commended the Nigerian Army for taking the sensitisation campaign to traditional institutions, promising to mobilise traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure the information reaches eligible youths across the region.
Oba Matemilola noted that the presence of the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, other Obas, Baales and community leaders demonstrated the commitment of traditional institutions to supporting the recruitment exercise.
He said the traditional rulers would ensure that information on the recruitment reached their communities and encouraged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity.
“With the chairman of Baale here, you can be rest assured that all our Baales will ensure that they get information across to all our sons and daughters, to ensure that those who are eligible and those who are interested apply and ensure that they get a good chance of getting into the Nigerian Military, God willing,” the monarch said.
The Olowu also pledged to extend the sensitisation message beyond Ogun State through the traditional institutions’ network across the South-West.
“We have the reach and we will ensure that, you know, I know your mandate is Ogun State. I’m just assuring you that it’s going to get to the whole of Southwest because we have our Obas and our chiefs all across, that will also ensure that we cascade this,” he said.
He added that the traditional rulers would continue to support the Army because the beneficiaries of the recruitment exercise were sons and daughters of the communities.
“I want to assure you that we’ll do our best to support you, because in doing so, we are supporting ourselves, because these are our sons and daughters,” Oba Matemilola said.
Also speaking, the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, urged Baales and other traditional leaders to take the sensitisation campaign to their communities and encourage young people to consider a career in the military.
Describing the period as a “time of planting”, the monarch said traditional leaders must play an active role in guiding young people towards opportunities that could positively shape their future.
“I want to appeal to others, particularly the “Baale’s” to inform our children to join the army”Oba Adediran said.
Oba Adediran also urged Baales in the area to refer eligible candidates to the traditional institution for assistance where necessary.
