Bàyelsa Govt Backs Army's 92nd Recruitment Sensitisation Drive *Diri assures Army of support, urges youths to seize 750 recruitment slots

By Majesty Inegbagha 

YENAGOA — The Bayelsa State Government has pledged its full support for the Nigerian Army’s public sensitisation and enlightenment campaign on the ongoing 92nd Regular Recruitment Exercise into the Nigerian Army.

L-R Dr. Peter Akpe, Deputy Governor, Bàyelsa State, and Brigadier-General Ben Ogbojo.

Governor Douye Diri gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Army, led by Brigadier-General Ben Ogbuji, at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, said the state government would mobilise relevant government agencies, political and community leaders, as well as youths, to ensure that Bayelsa takes full advantage of the recruitment exercise.

He described the recruitment exercise as an important employment opportunity for unemployed youths in the state, stressing that qualified Bayelsans should be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity and help the state fill its allocated quota of about 750 slots.

Governor Diri also commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as its increasingly cordial and civilian-friendly relationship with Nigerians, calling for stronger military-civilian collaboration in tackling the country’s growing security challenges.

According to him, the changing relationship between the military and civilians had helped to dispel the perception that civilians could not interact freely with military personnel.

Centre, Dr Peter Akpe, Bàyelsa Deputy Governor in Group photograph with the delegation.

“The contemporary Nigerian military or army relations with the people has become very civil; the military has made it so civil. The fear that civilians cannot mix well with military personnel has been dispelled. We want to appreciate you on that.”

Akpe further recalled previous challenges encountered in mobilising Bayelsa youths for military recruitment, noting that some prospective applicants had withdrawn from the process, while others were disqualified for various reasons.

He therefore welcomed the Army’s sensitisation initiative, saying sustained enlightenment would help address misconceptions and encourage more qualified youths to participate.

He particularly urged the Army to clearly explain the recruitment requirements and criteria, including physical fitness, during its town-hall engagement with the people.

The Deputy Governor also called on political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to actively support the exercise.

He said the recruitment of 28,000 personnel nationwide represented a significant opportunity for Nigerian youths, stressing that Bayelsa must not allow its allocated slots to be taken up by applicants from other states.

“The recruitment is also a form of employment and we are talking about 28,000 potential recruits to be evenly distributed among all the states. With this fresh zeal, all of us in society, political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders and those in governance should do our bit to ensure our quota is filled; otherwise, others will take up our chances again in this recruitment exercise.”

Earlier, Brigadier-General Ben Ogbuji said the Army delegation was in Bayelsa on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, to sensitise the people and encourage the state to take full advantage of its allocation from the 28,000 new recruitment slots recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ogbuji, who is the Director of Coordination, Army War College, Abuja, said the Army had observed over the years that Bayelsa had consistently struggled to meet its recruitment quota.

He said the situation had necessitated the sensitisation campaign aimed at educating the people, dispelling misconceptions and addressing disinformation that might have contributed to the low participation of Bayelsa youths in previous recruitment exercises.

He explained that the engagement was specifically focused on the ongoing 92nd Regular Recruit Intake of the Nigerian Army.

According to him, the Army’s objective was to ensure that Bayelsa youths understood the recruitment process and took their rightful place in the Nigerian military.

“Over the years, it has been observed that, unfortunately, the people of Bayelsa State have not been meeting up with their quota as required by the Constitution of Nigeria. And that concern has come to the notice of the Chief of Army Staff.”

He added that the Army was committed to ensuring fairness, equity and justice in the recruitment process.

“Because whether the state fills its quota or not, at the end of the day, people from other states fill that quota allocated to Bayelsa. It is the desire of the COAS that the people of Bayelsa State take their rightful place, and that is basically why we are here this morning.”

Also present at the meeting was the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei.