Only 200 young people from the South-East have so far registered for the ongoing Army recruitment exercise, a figure that has sparked concern among officials. Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, who leads the Army Force Headquarters Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra, revealed this during a sensitisation meeting with youth leaders and community President-Generals in the state.
He noted that while other regions in the country have recorded over 4,000 applicants each, the South-East lags far behind with just 200. This gap, he said, shows a worrying lack of interest among youths in the region and could mean the South-East ends up underrepresented in the military. Ekeator called on local leaders to return to their communities and speak directly with the youths, urging them to register and take advantage of the opportunity. According to him, if more youths join the recruitment exercise, the region will not only meet its quota but will also gain stronger representation in national defence.
The state government has also stepped in to help boost interest. Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghambah, pledged to continue creating awareness among young people. He encouraged traditional rulers and President-Generals to work together in mobilising at least 10 youths from each community to take part in the recruitment.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, reminded participants that the recruitment is open to youths between the ages of 18 and 22. He encouraged eligible candidates to seize the moment and consider a career in the Army.
This outreach is part of a broader effort to ensure that every part of the country is fairly represented in the military, and to give young people in the South-East a chance to serve the nation while building meaningful careers.
