Recruitment: Army woos Rivers, Delta indigenes to join military

The Nigeria Army in Rivers say it has commenced its recruitment campaign to woo indigent youths from the state to join the army.

It said both Rivers and Delta indigenes had the lowest representation in recent recruitments in the army.

Brig.-Gen. Timi Mackintosh, Team Leader, Department of Administration, Sensitisation and Advertisement, Nigeria Army 86 Intake, said this at a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Rivers, Tammy Danagogo in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, worried by the low representation of Rivers indigenes in the army, sent his team to encourage them to join the service.

“So, Rivers and Delta states in the South-South, particularly, Rivers, are lacking when it comes to recruitment into the Nigerian Army.

“For 84 and 85 regular intakes, Rivers state in particular did not make up to 60 per cent of its own quota.

“So, the COAS deemed it fit that we should visit you (Danagogo) to assist us speak to indigenes to join the army,” he said.

Mackintosh said the army would take care of those willing to join the service in the area of academics, and medical, among others.

“Our minimum requirement is four credits. However, there are people especially in the lower cadre who joined the military with four credits, but today they are going for their PhD and Masters.

“They achieved this because the army sent them to school.

“Some people might feel that they cannot make it into the army because they don’t know anybody, but the truth is that you don’t need to know anyone to join.

“Candidates just have to meet the basic criteria which includes being a Nigerian; proof they are Rivers indigenes, and physically, medically and psychologically fit, among others to join,” he said.